If you've been told you need a dental filling, you're not alone: 92% of Americans have had at least one cavity. Dental fillings are the tried-and-true treatment for treating cavities – and they come in a variety of options to suit every need. Dental fillings can be made of silver amalgam, composite, porcelain and even gold. Amalgam fillings have been used by dentists for more than a century and are still the most common and cost-effective type of dental filling. But composite fillings, which are made of a tooth-colored plastic and glass composite, are quickly becoming the preferred dental filling due to their natural appearance and durability. White fillings are strong, stain-resistant and require less removal of your tooth structure than amalgam fillings. The type of dental filling used is determined by a number of factors, including size and location of the cavity, as well as your budget. The two most common substances to use for fillings are either composite or amalgam.
Amalgam Fillings:
Amalgam fillings, also known as silver-colored fillings, are made from a combination of metals. This combination of metal gives the amalgam fillings it renowned strength and durability. These type of fillings usually last 10-15 years. This type of filling is typically used for back molars where they are less visible, but because of its strength in those areas where the most chewing occurs. After you’ve had an amalgam filling, you may experience temporary periods of sensitivity to hot and cold. Amalgam filling do not harden right away, and it is advisable that you avoid chewing on that area for a few hours.
Composite Fillings:
A composite filling, also known as a tooth-colored filling, provides great durability for small to medium cavities. Typically, the procedure removes less tooth structure than during an amalgam filling. They are also well suited for treating front or highly visible teeth because of their natural look.
When You Need a Filling:
When a tooth has decay, clinically known as dental caries, the only way to stop the progression is to remove the diseased portion of the tooth and “fill” the area with a strong dental restorative. Materials used in fillings may include porcelain, ceramic and composite (commonly known as a tooth-colored filling).
There are two main types of fillings, and our dentist in Westminster, CO will consult with you in detail about which method of repair is the best option for ensuring strength, durability, appearance and longevity.
Direct fillings are placed immediately after the decayed part of the tooth is removed. The most common materials used in this type of filling are glass ionomers, resin ionomers and composite. These types of fillings are both strong, long-lasting and aesthetically pleasing. The materials used mimic the tooth enamel in both appearance and color, making them almost undetectable when you talk, laugh and smile.
Indirect fillings, used when larger areas are affected, include inlays, onlays and other restorative procedures. They are often made of ceramics, or composites. With this type of filling, the tooth is prepared and an impression taken. A temporary restoration is placed and the final restoration is custom designed by the dental laboratory. Once the restoration is ready, the final restoration is installed in the prepared tooth.
Despite good preventive dental care, some patients will still develop cavities. Also known as tooth decay or dental caries, a cavity is a hole in a tooth caused by acids that destroy the enamel. Without protective enamel, your tooth is left vulnerable to the bacteria that cause decay. Acids are formed when oral bacteria mix with sugars and starches in foods and attack the hard outer layer of the tooth. Your saliva, as well as certain minerals (such as calcium in dairy products and the fluoride in your toothpaste), can help neutralize these acids. However, if you eat too many starchy foods or fail to clean your teeth regularly, the acids will win the constant battle occurring in your mouth. If you keep up with regular dental checkups with your 80031 general dentist, any decay that forms can be caught at such an early stage that it can be treated with a simple filling rather than a crown or root canal therapy.
Cavities are quite possibly the most common reason many children, and adults, visit the dentist each year. Cavities, while bothersome, are not the end of the world. They are easily resolved through the use of dental fillings. The patient in Westminster, CO is given local anesthetic and the decay of the tooth is removed and filled with a dental filling to prevent it from decaying any further than it already has. The dental filling is comprised of a composite material that resembles silver, gold, or a white enamel resembling the enamel of your tooth. Once the filling procedure is completed, the patient can resume their everyday brushing, flossing, rinsing routine; as this helps prevent future cavities. To schedule your appointment, we encourage you to contact a member of our friendly dental team. We are happy to help you!
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