Dental Restoration Using Fillings

The cavity filling procedure involves the removal of the decayed and damaged portions of your tooth. The hole is then filled with replacement materials for protection against any further damage and for the restoration of your tooth’s functioning and appearance.

What you should expect

You will be at your dentist’s for an hour or so. This will give him ample time to take you through the procedure, take x-rays, and complete his job.

Before the filling process, the dentist numbs your gums, your teeth, and even the surrounding skin. He does such to reduce the discomfort that may be experienced when undergoing the procedure. The dentist then drills the decay out and a filling is used to replace it.

Once the procedure is over, you may experience numbness for some time. Filling activities have no significant associated risks, but in case you experience any complications, share with your dental practitioner.

Although tooth fillings commonly serve the purpose of filling cavities, they can also be used in repairing teeth damage resulting from grinding or replacing parts of broken teeth.

What are the Various Types of Dental Fillings?

There exists a range of options for cavity fillings. They include silver amalgam, gold, porcelain, and glass. The type of filling you choose will be dependent on aesthetic preferences, cost, and insurance policy.

Have a look at the various materials that can be used to fill your teeth cavities.

• Amalgam Fillings

Dental professionals have been using Amalgam for over a century. Of all the available materials, this has been researched most.

Fillings made from amalgam are strong. This makes them ideal for use in filling cavities at your mouth’s back where the chewing process takes place. Because various metallic elements are used to make them, someone can easily notice them.

• Composite fillings

They feature quartz or glass combinations and can be designed to have your teeth colour. They are durable and suit both mid-size and small restorations in the mouth which do moderate chewing.

• Metals

You can choose between silver amalgam and gold. Gold fillings are more expensive than silver fillings. Some people however still prefer the gold’s appearance to silver’s because of durability.

• Ceramic

Porcelain is used to make ceramic cavity fillings. The filling has the same colour as the teeth and compared to composite fillings, there is low likelihood of showing stains. It is however very expensive.

• Glass Ionomer

The material is a glass and acrylic blend. The cavity filling it creates releases fluoride which helps protect your teeth. The filling is however less durable when compared to the others and may need frequent replacement.

When should you replace a Cavity Filling?

Typically, the fillings will last for several years before needing replacement. It is possible for them to wear out over time. The following signs are a cue to get those fillings replaced:

• Wearing of the teeth: Each time that you chew, intense pressure is exerted on your fillings. Because of the wear and tear effect, they will get damaged over time. They may crack, leak or even fall out, necessitating immediate replacement.
• Discoloration: The fillings that are made to resemble your teeth can discolor with time. They could have stains and assume a darker color, which is unattractive.
• Decay: Decay signs will become known to you on close inspection. If not appropriately treated, decay is capable of causing further damage.

How long will your Dental Fillings last?

The lifespan for the fillings cannot be readily determined. Their durability is dependent on several factors:

• The type of material used for filling
• Whether or not you clench or grind the teeth
• How the filling was positioned

If you are lucky, you will find a filling that lasts even 15 years. In the case of an amalgam filling, you can stay for 12 years before doing a replacement.

What are some of the associated problems with filling?

It is possible to suffer the following complications as a result of cavity fillings:

• Infection: At times, cavity fillings pull away from your teeth and create a void. Bacteria can accumulate in this void and cause further tooth decay.
• Damage: Biting down on a hard thing can damage your fillings.

If you are looking forward to having that filling procedure, we welcome you to Copper Vista Dental Care. We have been providing high-quality dental care for over four decades. Call us today and book an appointment with our dentist, Dr. Eric Swensen.