WHAT ARE DENTAL FILLINGS?
Dental fillings are quite common in restorative dentistry when your teeth have been affected by decay, cavities, or other issues. The dentist will remove the affected area of the tooth and then “fill” the gap with a special substance. That substance is a dental filling.
To put it simply, dental fillings are substances used to fill in gaps or cracks in the tooth enamel caused by decay, chips, damaged, or broken teeth.
Fillings can be made from different materials, such as gold, porcelain, composite resin, (a plastic and glass amalgam that mimics the color of the tooth), and silver amalgam.
Depending on where and how much filling you need, the professionals at Mary Qian Dental Group will recommend the best type for your particular needs.

Did you know...
Unlike your natural teeth,
dental implants can't get cavities.
THE DENTAL FILLING PROCESS: WHAT TO EXPECT
A dental issue like a cavity may feel a bit nerve-wracking to some people. Part of the reason is that they don’t really know what to expect and what the treatment process entails. If you have a cavity and your dentists told you that you need dental fillings, then most probably the following steps will take place:
PREPARING THE TOOTH FOR TREATMENT
The dentist will apply a numbing gel to the affected tooth and then an anesthetic so that you don’t feel any pain during the procedure.
REMOVING THE DECAY
Using a drill or other equipment, the dentist will remove the affected area of the tooth.
CLEANING THE TOOTH
Your dentist will clean the affected tooth thoroughly to make sure that no bacteria or debris remains.
FILLING THE TOOTH
After the doctor has finished cleaning the tooth, he will proceed to actually fill the gap with a dental filling. The type of filling used largely depends on the location of the tooth and its function.
POLISHING AND ADJUSTING BITE
After the filling is complete, the dentist will polish the filling so that it fits your bite perfectly and does not cause any discomfort.

Did you know...
Unlike your natural teeth,
dental implants can't get cavities.
HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT CAVITIES AND FILLINGS? FIND ANSWERS HERE.
HOW LONG DO DENTAL FILLINGS LAST?
The lifespan of fillings depends very much on the material from which they are made.
Gold fillings have the longest lifespan, from 15 to 30 years, silver fillings last between 10 and 15 years, and composite resin fillings between 5 and 7 years.
Of course, the best way to prolong the lifespan of your fillings is to visit your dentist regularly for preventive care.
DO I NEED TO REPLACE MY FILLINGS?
Occasionally, yes. The fillings are not made to last forever, and over time problems may occur with their structure. That’s when you will need to replace them. However, if you take good care of them, the fillings can last for many years between replacements.
GET EXCELLENT CARE WITH MARY QIAN DENTAL GROUP
Your smile has a great impact on your confidence, so naturally, you want to get the best care you can get. At Mary Qian Dental Group, we are dedicated to ensuring people in Palo Alto get truly excellent dental care targeted at their unique needs.
If you want to learn more about our services or book your appointment, don’t hesitate to contact us.
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Dr. Qian is responsive, precise, and goes the extra mile to keep patients comfortable. I’ve had lots of dental work, and as a new patient in the past year, she guided me through the treatment of 2 complicated toothaches. On the lighter side, I was also very pleased with my teeth whitening procedure. Her staff is warm, helpful and professional.

Barb Mitchell