Tooth Fillings help restore a tooth damaged by tooth decay, restoring it to its original shape and allowing it to function normally again. It also prevents new cavities by eliminating areas where bacteria can penetrate each tooth. The dentist will choose the type of filling material that best suits each patient using a variety of factors, including the extent of the repair, the presence of allergies to certain materials used, the location of the filling needed, and the cost.
Several types of filling materials are used:
1. A composite sealant resin is a mixture of plastic and fine glass particles of the same color as the tooth. Composites are used most often on the front teeth or on the visible parts of the tooth.
2. Amalgams are intermetallic compounds that contain mercury and silver. Their color is different from that of the original teeth. This type of material is most often used to restore rear teeth. They are very resistant and generally last at least ten years, if not longer.
3. Gold fillings use an extremely durable gold alloy. This filling material lasts the longest. Gold fillings are expensive and look nothing like the other tooth. Their price is generally six to ten times higher than that of an amalgam.
4. Porcelain provides people with a natural look because porcelain fillings tend to look like natural teeth. Ceramic Tooth Fillings, however, are more prone to crumbling than composite resin. They may also break, but they are more resistant to stains. Ceramic fillings are expensive. They can be as expensive or even more expensive than gold fillings.
Your dentist may decide to give you a local anesthetic, such as lidocaine, to alleviate the pain associated with filling a tooth. He or she will then scrape the decayed dental tissue with a drill or laser. Once the decayed tissue is completely removed, the dentist will prepare the cavity for the filling. The shape of the cavity will depend on the material used, mainly to ensure that it fits snugly in place. The dentist may place a base or cap on the inside of the tooth to protect the dental pulp (where the nerves are). Some types of filling materials harden when exposed to special light. Visit us for more details.
