When tooth decay compromises your tooth’s structure, prompt treatment with a filling can prevent further damage and restore the tooth’s strength and function. Modern filling materials offer both durability and natural appearance, making restoration virtually invisible.
Distinctive Dentistry by Mullens & Nguyen provides beautiful, durable fillings as part of our comprehensive dental care in Jacksonville, FL. We use only tooth-colored composite materials that bond directly to your tooth, creating a strong, natural-looking restoration that preserves as much healthy tooth structure as possible.
Dr. Mullens and Dr. Nguyen carefully remove only the decayed portion of your tooth, then precisely place and shape the composite filling material to match your tooth’s natural contours. The result is a restoration that blends seamlessly with your natural tooth while providing years of reliable function.
Our mercury-free approach to fillings ensures beautiful, healthy restorations that enhance rather than detract from your smile. Dr. Mullens and Dr. Nguyen’s precision and artistry deliver natural-looking results you’ll be proud to show.
Don’t let cavities compromise your smile’s health and beauty. Contact us at 904-399-3163 or visit https://distinctivedentistryjax.com/contact-us/ to schedule your filling appointment and restore your teeth’s integrity.
Fix cavities comfortably – tooth-colored fillings with easy monthly payment plans for worry-free dental care.
When cavities threaten your smile, our mercury-free, tooth-colored fillings offer the perfect solution. Dr. Mullens and Dr. Nguyen combine precision and artistry to create composite restorations that blend seamlessly with your natural teeth while preserving as much healthy tooth structure as possible. Using advanced bonding techniques and high-quality materials, we deliver durable fillings that look beautiful and function reliably for years to come.
Quality dental care should be accessible to everyone, which is why we offer flexible payment options through Cherry and Care Credit. Whether you need one filling or several, our monthly payment plans make it easy to get the treatment you need without delay. Don’t let cavities compromise your oral health – call us at (904) 399-3163 or schedule your appointment today to restore your teeth with natural-looking fillings and discuss convenient payment solutions that fit your budget.
Many people procrastinate scheduling their tooth extraction because they assume it will be a long and agonizing procedure. Rest assured, our team wants you to feel comfortable throughout your procedure. We’ll apply a topical anesthetic to ensure that you don’t feel any pain, although if you’re still anxious or your condition requires a surgical removal, we can also offer sedation.
Then, it’s natural to experience mild soreness and inflammation as the meds wear off. This should subside within a few days, but if you have a toothache that persists or gets worse, please contact us right away to let us know.
Typically, our dentists do everything they can to protect and preserve your natural teeth because that’s usually better for your overall dental condition. However, if you have a tooth that’s too injured to be saved and puts your oral health at risk, then extraction is the best way to prevent potential problems.
For example, a tooth that is so decayed that its structure is compromised can’t be effectively filled. Cavities can also spread to neighboring teeth or impact your jawbone. In these instances, removing the troublesome tooth is the best way to safeguard your smile.
After your extraction, your mouth must form a blood clot to shield the tender nerves and bone tissue that are left exposed. If this clot is damaged or dislodged, then you could develop a painful complication known as dry socket.
Our team will provide post-op instructions for you to follow in detail, which often include:
Avoid straws. While you need to stay hydrated, the force of suction created when drinking through a straw can dislodge your blood clot. Try sipping straight from the glass instead.
Don’t smoke. Nicotine in tobacco hinders your body’s ability to heal.
Stick to soft foods. To avoid inflaming your gums, try options that are easy to swallow, like scrambled eggs, yogurt, and mashed potatoes.
Manage discomfort. To address any aches or inflammation, it’s usually safe to apply a cold compress or use over-the-counter medications like Tylenol and ibuprofen.
There are several ways to refurbish your grin, but the best method for you depends on your unique circumstances. Depending on how many teeth are being removed and where they are, you could benefit from one of the following replacement options:
Dentures. Whether you require a full or partial set, these prosthetics are the tried-and-true method of rebuilding your smile after tooth loss because they restore so much of your ability to eat and speak normally.
Dental bridges. These are intended to close the gaps for those who have lost one or several teeth in a row. They consist of the right number of pontics (artificial teeth) with a dental crown on either side to anchor to healthy teeth (or implants) in your mouth.
Dental implants. Many dentists consider these to be the ideal restoration because they are the only type that are embedded directly into your jawbone for added strength and resiliency.
We believe in caring for each other and serving our patients as if they were members of our own family. We want to help people transform their world, get excited about their potential, inspire change, and open new possibilities for themselves and their community. We exist at the intersection of unparalleled genuine care and creative innovation. Visit our beautiful state-of-the-art office in San Marco, Jacksonville to experience the dental care you deserve.
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If you have any food debris or an object stuck between your teeth, don’t try to remove it with a toothpick or any sharp objects, as this could damage your gums. Typically, gently flossing around the tooth and rinsing your mouth with saltwater can help dislodge it. However, if you’re not having any luck, you can also give our office a call. Our dental hygienists have all of the necessary tools to safely remove the debris.
Is Jaw Pain a Dental Emergency? Lockjaw, jaw tension, and pain are just a few of the many different types of jaw pain. If your discomfort is chronic, our team can help you determine the underlying cause of it and refer you to a specialist if necessary. However, if your pain is a result of an impact, visit your local emergency room.
How You Should Handle Jaw Pain: Our team is happy to provide you with further guidance over the phone if you’re unsure of where to go for help. You can place an ice pack on the outside of your face to relieve any discomfort.
How We Treat Jaw Pain: If you believe your jaw is broken, dislocated, or damaged due to trauma, visit your local ER immediately. If it’s a reoccurring issue, our team can help you determine best next steps for finding relief after conducting an examination.
Is an Injury to the Gums, Lips, or Tongue a Dental Emergency? If your oral injury doesn’t stop bleeding after 10 minutes, you may need to go to the emergency room. Or, if you’re conflicted about what to do, give our office a call and our team can help.
How You Should Handle an Injury to the Gums, Lips, or Tongue: Oral wounds can bleed a lot, and when the blood mixes with the saliva, it can make the injury look a lot worse than it is. You can stop the bleeding by using a clean washcloth or piece of gauze and pressing it against the cut. A cold compress can help to reduce any swelling that may occur.
How We Treat Injuries to the Gums, Lips, or Tongue: Our team typically doesn’t see patients for injuries. If you require stitches or the bleeding doesn’t stop within 10 minutes of placing pressure on it, visit your local emergency room.
Is a Loose Permanent Tooth a Dental Emergency? If your tooth is wiggling in its socket or partially dislodged, try to get to our office as soon as possible to prevent any further damage. If you’re experiencing pain, our team can provide you with first aid guidance over the phone.
How You Should Handle Loose Permanent Teeth: Avoid touching your tooth and eating any foods (especially those that are chewy or sticky), and rinse your mouth with lukewarm saltwater to remove any debris and cleanse the area. Avoid flossing or brushing your teeth until you’re able to see us.
How We Treat Loose Permanent Teeth: If your tooth has become partially dislodged due to impact, our team may be able to salvage it and see if the roots are able to re-fuse with the bone. In the case that your tooth can’t be saved, we may recommend an extraction and replacement with a dental implant or bridge.
Is My Broken Denture a Dental Emergency? Whether your denture has broken to the point of it being unwearable or it just has a crack, you should never wear a damaged prosthetic. It can lead to irritation of the oral tissues in addition to jaw discomfort. If you have existing teeth and try to wear your damaged denture, it could also harm those teeth. Call our office immediately so our team can assess your prosthetic.
How You Should Handle a Broken Denture: Although your local department store likely sells a denture repair kit, do not try to superglue or repair your own dentures. The best option in this scenario is to see a professional as soon as possible.
How We Treat Broken Dentures: Our team will examine your dentures and see if we’re able to repair them. If they’re damaged beyond repair, we can start the process of replacing them for you.
Is a Lost Filling or Crown a Dental Emergency? Yes, both of these situations warrant an immediate call to our Jacksonville dental office. That way, we can repair or replace your restoration as quickly as possible.
How You Should Handle a Lost Filling or Crown In addition to reaching out to us to schedule an appointment, we recommend not eating anything crunchy, hard, or sticky. Additionally, keep your restoration somewhere safe, like a small, clean container.
How We Treat Lost Fillings or Crowns There are some cases where we can re-cement your restoration back in place, like if your dental crown is relatively new and in good condition. Other times, our only option is to replace your dental crown or filling with a new one.
Is My Knocked-Out Tooth a Dental Emergency? Since this dental injury can cause a significant amount of pain and there is only a small window of time where we can save your tooth (about 60 minutes), the answer is “yes!” So, don’t hesitate – contact our Jacksonville dental team right away to schedule an emergency appointment.
How You Should Handle a Knocked-Out Tooth Calling us is an important first step. This ensures that we can schedule an appointment for you with one of our dedicated emergency dentists right away. Plus, it allows us to guide you through the process of preserving the root of your tooth – whether that’s by placing it back in its socket or putting it in a clean container filled with milk.
How We Treat Knocked-Out Teeth Fortunately, a knocked-out tooth can sometimes be saved. If that’s not the case for some reason – like you weren’t able to find your tooth – then we will instead begin the process of replacing it with a dental bridge or implant so the look, health, and function of your smile are restored.
Are Very Sensitive Teeth a Dental Emergency? Very sensitive teeth can be a dental emergency. That’s why it’s important to consider how long you’ve been experiencing symptoms and if they are present in tandem with others, like pain when biting down.
How You Should Handle Very Sensitive Teeth There’s really only one thing you can do until your appointment: try to avoid things that could exacerbate your discomfort. In other words, don’t drink anything really hot, don’t eat anything really cold, and take OTC pain medication as directed on the label (if needed).
How We Treat Very Sensitive Teeth That depends on what’s causing your dental sensitivity. If it’s a cavity, then it’s likely that a tooth-colored filling or dental crown is the answer. If it’s an infection in your gums, then gum disease treatment is needed instead.
Is a cracked tooth a dental emergency? Cracked teeth are considered dental emergencies and you’ll need to visit your emergency dentist as soon as possible. Leaving your tooth untreated can allow it to be vulnerable to further damage and bacteria. Before the situation worsens, schedule an appointment with our team so we can determine the best way to address your tooth.
How you should handle a cracked tooth: Refrain from chewing on that side of your mouth, otherwise you could end up disturbing your injured tooth. Take over-the-counter pain relievers to minimize discomfort. You can also rinse with saltwater to keep your tooth bacteria-free. If you notice any sharp or jagged edges on your tooth, you can use dental wax or sugar-free gum to protect your soft oral tissue.
How we treat cracked teeth: We’ll examine your cracked tooth to determine the cause of the situation as well as the proper treatment for it. If the crack is minor, then we can typically address it with composite resin to improve and strengthen your tooth. For more severe damage, you may require a dental crown to repair the structure and prevent future discomfort. If the tooth cannot be saved, then we’ll likely have to extract it and replace it with something else, such as a dental bridge, partial denture, or dental implant.
Is a chipped tooth a dental emergency? Chipping your tooth isn’t always considered an urgent dental situation, so it isn’t the end of the world if you don’t get it treated right away. That said, leaving it exposed to bacteria for too long can lead to problems later on. Before the situation can become worse, it’s best to visit your dentist for help.
How you should handle a chipped tooth: Until you’re able to see us for treatment, be sure to avoid chewing on that side of your mouth. Be gentle when brushing your teeth and gums, and don’t hesitate to use dental wax to cover up any rough or sharp edges you might notice. This can help you prevent harming your cheeks or other soft oral tissue.
How we treat chipped teeth: Chipped teeth can typically be treated by using composite resin to repair and improve them. However, if the damage is more visible and toward the front of your smile, then veneers might be the longer-lasting solution you’re looking for.
Is my toothache a dental emergency? Toothaches can be due to various reasons, some of which might not be particularly urgent. Even so, this can sometimes be an indication of a more serious dental emergency, such as an oral infection. That’s why it’s best to visit your dentist sooner rather than later so that they can address the underlying problem before it grows.
How you should handle a toothache: Rinse your mouth with saltwater to sanitize the area, dislodge any stuck objects between your teeth, and help alleviate any discomfort. You can also take over-the-counter pain medications to further minimize the aching.
How we treat toothaches: Our team will need to thoroughly evaluate your smile to determine the root cause of your toothache. If it’s due to periodontal issues, then we’ll provide gum disease treatment. Other procedures to get rid of your toothache might involve root canals or tooth extractions, if necessary. We’ll be sure to walk you through your options before moving forward with any treatment.