Dental Filling Our teeth are an important aspect of our overall health, and they often experience a great amount of wear throughout our lives. The food and drinks we consume create an avenue for bacteria within crevices in our teeth. This bacteria can gradually break down our teeth and cause decay. This decay (known as a "cavity") can be painful. Furthermore, it can lead to further decay of neighboring teeth or advanced issues with the decayed tooth. Fortunately, many cavities can be repaired by filling the cavity to restore the tooth. Fillings are quite common, and our team of professionals here at Viva Smiles Family Dental are more than ready to help you with any cavity questions. What are Fillings, and Who Needs Them?Fillings are the materials that are used in the repair of a cavity or restoration of a tooth by means of filling it in. Our team will verify what kind of decay the tooth has experienced, and will then determine if it can be filled. Anyone who has a repairable cavity can qualify to receive a filling. The way fillings work is by using a device to remove any harmful decay around the tooth. The process is safe, and you can be confident that our team will provide any necessary comfort measures to make the experience straightforward for you. Once the decay has been efficiently removed, the inner area then is cleaned to ensure no more bacteria can grow. This helps to make sure the filling can adhere with no risk of bacterial growth. Finally, a protectant is layered in. Then the rest of the material is filled in and finalized with polishing at the end for aesthetic purposes. Types of FillingsThere are several types of fillings patients can choose from, and each has its benefits. Amalgam fillings are one of the oldest and most common types of filling material. Amalgam is composed of several metals and is ideal for strengthening the tooth, typically the molars used for chewing. Because of their metallic appearance, they may be noticeable when smiling or laughing. Amalgam fillings are also very affordable. Precious metal fillings are in essence the same as amalgam fillings, but with the added appeal of being made from silver or gold. These tend to be more costly, but many patients like the strength they provide while retaining a flashy and striking appearance. They also last quite long before needing replacement, typically around 10 to 15 years. Glass ionomer fillings are composed of acrylic and glass. These cavity fillings release fluoride onto the tooth, which helps further protect it. The downside to these advanced fillings is that they tend to be less durable and need to be replaced after five to 10 years. Composite fillings are made from glass and quartz. These fillings can be tooth-colored, and they provide adequate strength for moderate chewing molars. Finally, ceramic fillings are the last major type of filling. They are stronger fillings, and they can also be tooth-colored. They are not easy to stain. The downside to these is that they can compare at price to gold fillings. Cavity fillings can create lots of questions, but our team is prepared to answer any you might have. For any questions regarding restoring your tooth and smile with fillings, please contact our expert team here at Viva Smiles Family Dental at (512) 863-9555 today. |
