Dental fillings are generally used for treating cavity-related issues. The dentist fills in the damaged or decayed area. There are a variety of fillings used in dentistry, one can even last upto 20 years depending upon the material. A dental filling reduces the risk of permanent loss of teeth and heals your teeth naturally.
WHAT ARE DENTAL FILLINGS?
Dental Fillings are used by the dentist to naturally restore a decayed tooth due to a cavity. The best dental implants nyc specialists also emphasize the importance of fillings to preserve tooth structure and prevent further damage. It can also be used for fixing minor cracks and chips in the teeth.
The dentist uses other terms for dental fillings, which include cavity and tooth fillings. The term dental restorations are also sometimes used with the context of restoring teeth and crowns.
Your dentist will decide the type of dental filling on the basis of your case. You can discuss this with your dentist before the treatment commences.
WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF DENTAL FILLINGS?
The different types of dental fillings have been classified into two categories: direct or indirect.
- Direct Fillings: The dentist will create a space and place the fillings directly into your mouth. This procedure does not require any need for a dental laboratory or temporary restoration. A direct filling will require only one appointment.
The common materials used in the direct fillings are,
- Amalgam- contains a mixture of mercury and silver, zinc, tin, and copper.
- Resin Composite- comes in tooth-coloured with powdered quartz, glass, and silica.
- Glass Ionomer- comes in tooth-coloured with silica glass powder.
- Indirect Fillings: An indirect filling involves a dental technician making indirect fillings in a laboratory before placing them in your mouth. In most cases of indirect fillings, the patients have to make two appointments to complete the treatment. The most common types of indirect fillings are inlays and onlays. A dentist uses both of them when your tooth has so much damage too support a filling, but not to that extent where a dental crown is needed. The dentist places inlays and onlays exactly like a puzzle piece inside your mouth.
The common material used for indirect fillings includes,
- Gold
- Porcelain- comes in tooth-coloured with a mixture of feldspar, kaolin, and quartz.
WHAT ARE THE RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH DENTAL FILLINGS?
A patient with dental fillings might experience low teeth sensitivity and gum sourness. These are considered temporary and should be gone within one or two weeks of the date of treatment. The risks associated are listed below,
- A Severe toothache, possibly due to the decay reaching your tooth pulp. If this happens, then you should consult a dentist and prepare to get a root canal surgery.
- If your tooth is extremely sensitive to eating cold or hot food, then the nerves of the tooth have been damaged.
CONCLUSION
Dental fillings are widely used for filling cavities. There are various types of dental fillings available in the market. Your dentist will choose the right material depending on your case.
