All About Dental Fillings
Dr. Andre Eliasian is a Dentist practicing in Glendale, CA. Dr. Eliasian specializes in preventing, diagnosing, and treating diseases and conditions associated with the mouth and overall dental health. Dentists are trained to carry out such treatment as professional cleaning, restorative, prosthodontic, and endodontic procedures,... more
Dental fillings can be understood as the restoration of a tooth that has been decayed, to its traditional shape and function. When someone suffers from a cavity, a filling is recommended by the dentist. After you eat a meal, food particles along with plaque stay on the teeth for a while because of improper brushing or from having a sticky or sweet food. This can lead to the buildup of bacteria and the buildup of toxins and acid discharge that suspend the enamel. The enamel then changes to its original color. The color change depends on how much it has weakened or dissolved from colors like light to dark yellow, then light brown to dark brown and finally jet black.
Steps Involved in a Dental Filling
When a person is having a dental filling, he or she will be given a local anesthetic in order to numb the region around the tooth to be filled. This will numb the gums and surrounding skin so that discomfort during the process will be avoided or lessened. After that, a drill, laser, or air abrasion instrument will remove the decayed part of the tooth. The usage of an instrument will be based on the comfort level of the dentist for the treatment, their training, or the location and extent of the decay. When the decay has been removed, the dentist may test the part to ensure whether all the decay has been eliminated.
Once the decay is removed from the patient’s mouth, the practitioner will arrange the space for the dental filling by cleaning the cavity of debris and bacteria. When there is decay close to the root, the dentist may put a liner made up of composite resin, glass ionomer, or some other material to defend the nerve. In general cases, the dentist will finish and polish it after the filling is in. Once the process of a dental filling is done, the mouth area will remain numb for a few hours. In such cases, make sure to follow the instructions given by the dentist and avoid potential problems or risks.
Types of Dental Fillings
When the discussion about a cavity needing to be filled comes up, it is crucial to know that the patient has the right to choose, after consulting with their oral surgeon about what materials and treatment procedures will be used. There are many available options for dental fillings, including composite resins, dental amalgam, and gold fillings, etc.
1. Composite Resins
Composite resins can be identified as tooth-colored fillings that are produced with a combination of glass or quartz filler. These are able to deliver superior resistance and durability to fracture in tiny to mid-size fillings, which require enduring modest pressure from chewing. The color or shade of composite resins can be closely matched with the color of existing teeth and they look excellent for visible parts of the teeth like the front teeth. Besides filling tooth decay, they can also be used in broken, worn or chipped teeth.
2. Dental Amalgams
Dental amalgams are made from a mixture of metals like copper, tin, silver, and mercury. Sometimes they are described as silver-colored fillings. Amalgam is very durable and has been used for generations by oral practitioners. It has been said that amalgams can last at least 10 to 15 years and are less expensive than composite fillings. They are strong enough to withstand the pressure from chewing.
3. Gold Fillings
Gold fillings are composed of materials like copper, gold, and other metals. They can also be known as inlays or onlays. Gold fillings can last nearly 10 to 15 years and do not corrode. They are as strong as silver-colored fillings and can withstand chewing. In comparison to silver fillings, they blend in better with other teeth.
Other dental filling types include glass ionomer and ceramics. Glass ionomer is made up of acrylic and a particular kind of glass material. Ceramics are mostly made of porcelain. They are more resistant to staining as compared to composite resin material and can last for about 15 years.
Dental Filling Costs
The cost of dental fillings varies from place to place. Along with that, there will be some factors like the material being used by the practitioner, size of the filling, amount of residual structure of the teeth, and the material being implemented by the dentist. You can ask for the exact cost of a dental filling from the dentist.
Other Things to Keep In Mind
Cavities or tooth decay can be prevented by different kinds of treatments, such as applying fluoride for more calcium and protecting the tooth from bacterial acid breakdown, and sealants in the teeth’s fissures to avoid food lodgment. A dental filling can last for around three to seven years, but you will need regular checkups. After getting a dental filling, one of the most common symptoms is tooth sensitivity. The causes of tooth sensitivity after having a filling can be sugary foods like candy, biting down when eating, acidic foods and drinks, air hitting the tooth, hot drinks like coffee, cold foods or drinks like ice cream or beverages with ice. That’s why we recommend you follow the instructions given by your dentist and try to prevent these problems. Read More.
