Prevent Minor Damage from Progressing with Dental Fillings
A small cavity can quickly become a costly, painful issue if left unaddressed. Downtown Dental provides high-quality tooth fillings to patients in and around Los Angeles, California. Don’t wait for tooth damage or decay to advance. Visit Drs. Don Mungcal and Alyssa Hanel and restore your smile with affordable dental fillings.
What is the dental filling procedure?
The success of your filling depends on the choice of materials and proper tooth preparation. Small details when placing the filling can be the difference between a lasting restoration and one that needs frequent replacement.
The procedure starts by examining your tooth with dental X-rays. We want to establish that only a filling is required. Extensive damage may need inlays or dental crowns. Next, we’ll numb the treatment area with local anesthetics to ensure a painless experience.
The dentist will remove any tooth decay or damage and clean the area thoroughly until all the infection is gone. Then, the dentist carefully fills the tooth with composite resin and molds it to the desired shape. We’ll then use a curing light to harden the filling within minutes. We’ll check your bite during the final touches to ensure it feels comfortable and natural.
Many patients resume their everyday lives right after treatment. Some may experience mild sensitivity, but this lasts a few days.
How do I maintain my filling?
Composite fillings are resilient but need proper care to extend their natural life. Observe the following tips to maintain your tooth filling.
- Good oral hygiene: Brush and floss your teeth diligently to keep your teeth plaque-free.
- Watch your diet: You can eat most of your favorite foods with fillings, but limit the intake of chewy and hard foods. Also, avoid strongly pigmented foods and liquids because they can stain your composite fillings.
- Dental visits: See your dentist every six months for regular cleanings and check-ups.
- Wear a mouthguard: Wear a bespoke mouthguard to protect your teeth from nighttime teeth grinding.
- Quit poor oral habits: Avoid using your teeth to chew non-food items like candies, fingernails, pens, etc.
What are the benefits of composite fillings?
Downtown Dental is mindful of the materials we use to create your restorations. We prefer composite fillings because they provide superior benefits compared to other filling options.
These include:
- Natural aesthetics: Composite fillings match the exact shade of your natural teeth. The results are so natural that you won’t tell which tooth was filled.
- Durability: Although they are metal-free, composite fillings last many years with good care.
- Stronger teeth: Tooth-colored fillings bond directly with the tooth, strengthening the tooth against future damage.
- Conservative procedure: There’s nothing quite like your natural teeth. We try everything possible to preserve your natural tooth structure. Placing composite fillings requires removing a small amount of the healthy structure.
- Safety: Amalgam fillings used to be popular until a few years ago. Beyond their noticeable silver appearance, they contain mercury, which raises potential health concerns. Composite fillings are created from safe and biocompatible materials.
Do you need a tooth filling?
Treat your cavity today before it turns into a bigger problem. Call Downtown Dental at 213-863-9464 for high-quality tooth fillings in Los Angeles, California, and the nearby locations. Dental fillings prevent further damage while restoring your oral functionality and aesthetics.
Dr. Don Mungcal
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Dr. Don Mungcal, a distinguished dentist in Los Angeles, combines over three decades of experience with a deep commitment to patient care. A UCLA graduate, he earned his dental degree with honors from the University of the Pacific Dental School in 1990. Dr. Mungcal has been recognized as a Best Dentist in Downtown by the “Los Angeles Downtown News” for four years in a row and served as an instructor at USC Dental School. As an active member of the California Dental Society, among other prestigious organizations, he continually updates his expertise through extensive continuing education.
