How Do Dental Fillings Work?

How Do Fillings Work?

A filling can bring back the function and appearance of a tooth that has been decayed. A filling is performed by a dentist by first removing the decayed tooth material, cleaning the afflicted area, and then filling the cleaned out cavity with a filling substance.

A filling also aids in stopping additional degradation by preventing access points for microorganisms. Gold, porcelain, a composite resin (tooth-colored fillings), and an amalgam are some of the materials utilized for fillings (an alloy of mercury, silver, copper, tin and sometimes zinc).

Which Filling Kind Is Best?

There is no one filler that works best for everyone. The degree of the repair, whether you are allergic to certain materials, the location of the filling in your mouth, the cost, and your personal preferences will all influence what is best for you.

Several materials should be taken into account, including:

In a lab, custom-made gold fillings are created before being bonded into place. Gold inlays can last up to 20 years and are well tolerated by gum tissues. For these reasons, gold is regarded by many experts as the ideal filler material. Unfortunately, it frequently costs the most and calls for many visits.

Amalgam (silver) fillings are reasonably priced and resistant to wear. They are not typically utilized in highly prominent places, such as front teeth, due to their dark hue, which makes them more obvious than porcelain or composite restorations.

Composite (plastic) resins are utilized when a natural appearance is desired since they can be colored to match your teeth. The mixture is put into the cavity and allowed to sit there until it hardens. Although they may chip or deteriorate over time, composites might not be the best material for large fillings. They normally endure between three and ten years, however they are susceptible to staining from coffee, tea, or smoke.

Inlays and onlays are porcelain fillings that are made to order in a lab and then bonded to the tooth. They can be dyed to match the shade of the tooth and are stain-resistant. Most of the tooth is often covered by a porcelain restoration. They are comparable in price to gold.

A crown or cap may be advised if a significant amount of the tooth has been compromised by decay or a fracture.

There are two techniques to treat decay that has spread to the nerve: pulp capping or root canal therapy, which involves removing the affected nerve (which attempts to keep the nerve alive).

What Takes Place After a Filling?

In the event that your dentist chooses to fill a cavity, they will first remove the decay and thoroughly clean the region. Thereafter, any of the various materials mentioned above will be used to fill the cavity that has been cleaned out.

How can I tell whether I require a filling?

If you have a cavity that has to be filled, only your dentist can find it. Your dentist will use a small mirror to look at the surfaces of each tooth during a checkup.

Then, using specialized equipment, anything that appears strange will be thoroughly examined. Your entire mouth or a portion of it may be X-rayed by your dentist. Depending on the degree of decay-related damage, your dentist will determine the type of therapy.