Dental Fillings in Bangor, ME
Fillings are a routine way to address the problem of tooth decay or to bolster the structure of a tooth. Fillings can be made from several different materials and can be applied using several different methods.
At Maine Family Dental Practice, our dentist Dr. Travis Buxton can determine which material and method is right for you. He will then place your filling with precision and an artistic touch.
What Causes Tooth Decay?
Our mouths are full of naturally occurring bacteria. These microorganisms consume particles from the food we eat. When they digest this material, they create an acidic waste product that wears away at the tooth’s enamel. This can ultimately result in the formation of dental caries – also known as “cavities.”
The favorite snack of bacteria is sugar, so a diet high in sugar can accelerate this process of decay. We recommend a healthy diet low in sugar to help prevent cavities. Good oral health care including twice-a-day brushing and nightly flossing also helps to prevent cavities.
During your regular dental exam and teeth cleaning in Bangor, your dentist will check your teeth thoroughly for cavities. Your dentist can tell if you have a cavity when the tooth’s enamel feels softer than it should when probed. Dental x-rays can also detect cavities that are not visible to the eye.
In the event that a cavity has formed in your tooth’s enamel, we may recommend a dental filling. The placement of a filling can help to prevent further decay of the tooth.
What Is a Dental Filling?
“Filling” a tooth refers to the process of filling the hole in the tooth’s enamel created by a cavity. Filling materials include amalgam and composite. Amalgam is a “traditional” silver filling, which is very strong and durable. Composite is a tooth-colored material that is also strong and durable and may be more aesthetically pleasing than amalgam.
Before placing a filling, your dentist will remove the decayed tooth structure. He will then thoroughly clean and disinfect the area and prepare it for the filling. The filling material that you and your dentist have chosen to restore your tooth will then be placed in the cavity in a putty-like state. Your dentist will smooth and shape the filling to mimic the contours of your tooth. We also offer “inlay” and “onlay” filling services.
Placing a filling is a routine procedure that helps to reinforce the structure of the tooth, while also restoring it to health and beauty.
Schedule a Visit to Our Bangor Dental Office Today!
Make an appointment with our gentle and skillful dental team at Maine Family Dental Practice. During your personalized consultation with Dr. Buxton, feel free to bring up any questions or concerns you may have about dental fillings.
Frequently Asked Questions
In recent years there has been some controversy about the safety of the mercury used in dental fillings. But we can assure you that amalgam fillings are not only safe, they are very strong and durable.
Facts About Silver Amalgam Fillings
Amalgam fillings – also referred to as silver fillings – have been safely and effectively used for over 100 years. In spite of the controversy, several public health agencies like The American Dental Association (ADA) and the FDA have confirmed the safety of amalgam for dental fillings.
One of the reasons that amalgam fillings are so widely used is that they form a very stable repair for teeth that withstand a lot of wear, like molars. However, since aesthetics are important, at Maine Family Dental we use tooth-colored dental fillings for teeth that are noticeable when you smile. But we will talk to you about the benefits of both amalgam and tooth-colored fillings so you can choose which best fits your lifestyle and budget.
Schedule Your Next Dental Exam in Bangor, ME
Filling teeth is an essential service that we provide to keep your teeth functional and healthy. The best way to avoid cavities and the need for fillings is to follow a regular routine of dental exams and cleanings in Bangor, ME. By monitoring your oral health, we can stay one step ahead of problems and treat them before they become serious and costly to fix.
Contact our 04401 dentist office to schedule a dental exam!
If you have a cavity in a tooth that shows when you smile, Dr. Buxton would recommend filling the tooth with a material that looks very close in appearance to natural dental enamel.
Natural Dental Fillings
You may hear these types of fillings referred to as dental composites, composite fillings, or tooth-colored fillings. This material looks natural because it is a blend of glass and resin particles that reflect light similarly to tooth enamel. Dr. Buxton further customizes your tooth filling to match the shade of surrounding teeth.
The way we bond the material to your tooth, combined with its natural appearance, results in a filling that blends seamlessly with your smile. Tooth-colored dental fillings placed at our Bangor, ME dental office are durable and can last between five and seven years.
Tooth-Colored Fillings in Bangor ME
Since composite dental fillings enhance your smile, we can also use the material to correct minor cosmetic flaws like chipped or broken teeth, uneven gaps, and spaces between teeth, and more.
If you have a cavity and need a dental filling placed at our Bangor dental office, please call to arrange an appointment with Dr. Buxton. You can be confident that we will provide you with results that look so natural even you may not be able to detect it!
Meet Our Doctor:
Dr. Travis Buxton DDS
Dr. Travis Buxton, DDS, was raised in Utah where he graduated from high school in 1996 and later married his high school sweetheart. He continued his education at Weber State University in Utah.
After graduating, he moved his growing family to Canada, where he was one of very few candidates accepted to Dalhousie University Faculty of Dentistry. After graduating in 2010, Dr. Buxton and his family relocated to Bangor to begin his dental career by joining Maine Family Dental Practice.
Dr. Buxton and his family fell in love with the Northeast while ...
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New Research Could Lead to Even Stronger, Longer-Lasting Fillings
In the world of dentistry, things are always evolving! Composite resin fillings replaced metal amalgam fillings offering better durability and aesthetics. Yet, composite fillings still only last for seven to ten years. It seems however, that we're on the cusp of improving composite resin to make it more durable than ever before. Here's the scoop from your general dentist in Buxton.
How Does a Filling Work?
When decay destroys your enamel, it works its way further into your tooth. At this point your dentist will need to clean it out, ...
