There are several reasons why you need dental fillings but the most common one is to fill a cavity. It is a practice that dates back centuries and has saved innumerable teeth. Now, a cavity might exist only because a dentist drilled a hole in your tooth to perform some procedure. It could also be caused by tooth decay. At any rate, if a need arises, know that you have choices of filling materials.
What Are Dental Fillings?
Dental fillings refer to a few types of substances used by dentists to fill holes or gaps in the enamel caused by decay, damaged or a broken tooth. Instead of extraction, the tooth may still be in good enough condition to be saved. This dental procedure essentially restores the shape and stability of an affected tooth. More important than aesthetic appearance and ease of eating, it helps prevent further decay, damage, and avert potential loss of tooth.
During a consultation, the dentist would make the appropriate recommendations on restoring your tooth – such as root canal, crown, bridge, implant, or veneer. If a dental filling is called for, it can only be done if the hole or gap that formed on the enamel has not affected the inner pulp where the nerves and blood vessels are found.
The Tooth Filling Process
To avoid any pain during the process, a dentist usually applies a local anesthetic. This way, you can have an easy and comfortable feeling throughout the process. Afterwards, the dentist would remove the decayed areas of the teeth with the use of a drill or an air abrasion instrument. When all cavities have been removed, the dentist then prepares all the areas that need to be filled. The filling material is then applied to the prepared areas while maintaining a polished surface. If needed, the dentist may use a special light to help the hardening process of the tooth fillings.
Related article: What are the Types of Teeth Restorations?
The Types and Importance of Tooth Fillings
There are different types of filling materials. Depending on your preference and budget, you may choose from the following materials, each with advantages and disadvantages:
Gold Fillings
This is the combination of different alloys of metal but is mostly concentrated on a gold alloy.
Advantages
- It is the most durable of all types of fillings and can last at least 10 years.
- Gold fillings do not corrode.
Disadvantages
- It is the most expensive among all types of dental fillings.
- This cannot be applied in just one sitting because dental impressions have to be moulded first at a dental laboratory.
- If you had a different type of filling placed beside a tooth with a gold filling, a rare occurrence of galvanic shock may occur. This is a sharp pain caused by an electric current when saliva interacts with the different types of metal fillings.
- If you want to keep dental fillings discreet, having a coloured filling like gold will not be a good option.
Amalgam Fillings
Due to its appearance, this type of filling is also called a “silver filling” and is chosen by most people. Its material includes mercury, silver, copper, and tin.
Advantages
- Just like gold fillings, it can also last for at least 10 years.
- Costs less than gold and composite fillings.
- Due to its durability, it is a good option to fill up spaces created by large cavities.
- This is a child-friendly filling because it hardens quicker which takes the children less time to stay still during treatment.
Disadvantages
- Does not have a natural-looking teeth colour.
- During application, areas without cavities are also removed since more space is needed for this type of filling.
- This filling may have a tendency to contract and expand wider as compared to other types of fillings whenever in the presence of hot or cold temperatures.
Composite Fillings
This is also called a “tooth-coloured filling” which is composed of tooth-coloured putty. It is made from ceramic and plastic compounds.
Advantages
- With it having the same colour as the tooth, this is suited for the front teeth which are the most visible when opening the mouth.
- This is the best choice to apply to cracked, chipped and worn-out or eroded teeth.
- Due to a chemical reaction with the tooth, a stronger bond is formed adding more support to the tooth.
Disadvantages
- Though it costs less than gold fillings, it is still more expensive than amalgam fillings.
- It is not as durable as compared to amalgam or gold fillings.
- Application of the filling takes a bit more time as compared to amalgam since the tooth needs to be kept clean and dry during the whole process.
Related article: What are the Different Types of Dental Filling?
Dental Filling Saves Your Teeth
As people try to maintain all their permanent teeth as healthy and pleasant looking as possible, they can never take away the fact that cavities will always be a part of life. A dental filling is a plausible solution and preventive measure for future cavity build-up. It is used as a seal to any holes created by tooth decaying bacteria. By doing so, you prevent tooth decay from reaching the tissues of the root canal, sparing you from extreme pain and eventual loss of a permanent tooth.
