Dental Fillings in Bowling Green

You need a filling whenever you have a cavity. The most noticeable indicator of a cavity is tooth sensitivity. If you notice that your tooth hurts or is sensitive when you consume hot and cold foods/beverages, or hurts when you chew, you may have a cavity. Your tooth may also hurt when you eat extremely sugary foods like candy.
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A filling is necessary to treat a cavity because it’s the best way to prevent further complications and restore your tooth. In this treatment, Dr. Packard will remove any decayed enamel from your tooth and replace it with a tooth-like composite resin material. Your tooth will look completely natural, and any decayed enamel and bacteria will be removed, which eliminates the source of the decay. 
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Without a filling, though, your condition will only get worse. You may experience more pain, and a larger cavity will require a dental crown to repair your tooth, which is more expensive and invasive. In some cases, your tooth may even become infected and require a root canal.

In most cases, composite fillings will last between 10-20 years. The precise lifespan of your filling from our Bowling Green office varies depending on a number of different factors, such as the location in your mouth, the material used to create the filling, and your overall oral health. 
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If your filling is ever lost or pulled out when eating, you need to have it replaced right away. This is because losing a filling exposes your vulnerable enamel, which can become decayed if you don’t have the filling replaced within a few days of losing it.

After you’ve had your tooth filled, you won’t need to take any special care precautions. You can treat your filled tooth just like you would treat any other tooth. Make sure to brush at least twice a day for two minutes and to floss once a day.
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In addition, you should see Dr. Bryan Packard for a consultation once every six months. At Precision Dental, your teeth will be cleaned by a hygienist, then Dr. Packard will examine your mouth to make sure your teeth and fillings are in good shape.
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Beyond this, we recommend avoiding eating very sticky foods with fillings, if possible. Some foods like taffy and caramels can stick to your filling and may pull it out. This is not common with newly-placed fillings, but it can happen to older fillings as the filling material begins to wear down and weaken.

Not at all. During the filling process, only a small amount of the outer layer of your tooth is removed. Dr. Packard will need to use a dental drill to clean out the area and remove any decayed or damaged enamel, because this can lead to further decay if it’s not removed.
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This means the procedure is minimally invasive, especially when compared to other treatments like prepping for a crown, getting a root canal, or having a tooth extracted. In addition, Dr. Packard will use numbing spray and injections to numb the nerves below your tooth so that you won’t feel a thing throughout your appointment. 
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Dr. Packard also is an expert sedation dentist, so you can get a filling even if you feel nervous or anxious. We offer laughing gas sedation, which lets you feel more relaxed and comfortable during your treatment, as well a deeper, pill-based sedation that will make you feel sleepy and groggy, and may cause you to forget what happened during your appointment. Contact us for more details and to see if sedation in Bowling Green from Dr. Packard is right for you.

Your filling will last up to 10 years, in most cases, and can last even longer if you take good care of your mouth. This also partially depends on its location in your mouth and some other factors. For example, rear fillings tend to wear out more quickly than front fillings because the molars are used to chew harder foods, and more force is placed on the filling as you eat, bite, and chew.
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It’s normal for fillings to wear out over time, which is one reason why it’s so important to see a dentist like Dr. Packard for checkups every six months. At your appointment, Dr. Packard can check your fillings to make sure they’re in great shape, and if you need to get a replacement, you can schedule a follow-up right away.

Fillings can become damaged due to wear & tear, as mentioned. Rarely, they may also be broken or cracked by an oral injury. They may also pull away from your tooth if the dental cement holding the filling in place wears out. This is more common if you eat a lot of sticky foods like taffy or caramel that may pull on the filling and wear it down over time.
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The good news is that if your filling is damaged, it’s easy to get a replacement. As soon as you notice that your filling is damaged, you should call Precision Dental for an appointment with Dr. Bryan Packard in Bowling Green. He’ll check your filling and recommend the appropriate next steps.
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Usually, you can simply have the old filling removed. Dr. Packard will use a dental drill to remove any old or damaged filling material, clean the area, and apply a new filling. This is very similar to having a new filling placed, and it’s a fast, affordable procedure.