Tooth Filling

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A filling is a way to restore a tooth damaged by decay back to its normal function and shape. Dentist giving you a filling, first removes the decayed tooth material, cleans the affected area, and then fills the cleaned out cavity with a filling material.

 

By closing off spaces where bacteria can enter, a filling also helps prevent further decay. Materials used for fillings include porcelain, a composite resin (tooth-colored fillings), and an amalgam (an alloy of mercury, silver, copper, tin and sometimes zinc).

 

No one type of filling is best for everyone. What's right for you will be determined by the extent of the repair, whether you have allergies to certain materials, where in your mouth the filling is needed, and the cost. Considerations for different materials include: If your dentist decides to fill a cavity, he or she will first remove the decay and clean the affected area. The cleaned-out cavity will then be filled with any of the variety of materials described above. Only your dentist can detect whether you have a cavity that needs to be filled. During a check-up, your dentist will use a small mirror to examine the surfaces of each tooth.

 

Anything that looks abnormal will then be closely checked with special instruments. Your dentist may also X-ray your entire mouth/teeth or a section of it. The type of treatment your dentist chooses will depend on the extent of damage caused by decay.

 

Amalgam (silver) filling

 

These fillings are resistant to wear and relatively inexpensive. However, due to their dark color, they are more noticeable than porcelain or composite restorations and are not usually used in very visible areas, such as front teeth.

 

Nowadays fillings can be natural looking, as well as doing the job they're meant to do. Many people don't want silver fillings that show when they laugh or smile because they are more conscious about the way they look. For those siyuations there are many tooth-coloured fillings.

 

Composite filing

 

Composite fillings are strong, but may not be as hard wearing as ordinary amalgam fillings. They are tooth coloured and are made from powdered glass, quartz, silica or other ceramic particles added to a resin base. The dentist will choose a shade to match your own teeth, although over time the filling can get stained. After the tooth is prepared, the filling is bonded onto the area with an adhesive and a light shone onto it to set it. With this type of filling, the dentist may have to remove less of the tooth, which is obviously better.

 

Glass ionomer

 

These fillings form a chemical bond with the tooth. They may also release fluoride, which helps prevent further tooth decay. This type of filling is fairly weak. Because of this, they are usually used on baby teeth and non-biting surfaces, such as around the neck of the tooth. Little preparation is needed as the filling bonds directly to the tooth.

 

Inlays and Onlays

 

An inlay or onlay would be prepared in the surgery by the dentist and impressions would be taken on this visit, the impression would then be sent to a laboratory for the inlay or onlay to be designed and made, we would then require a short appointment approximately two weeks later have it fitted. Porcelain can be hard wearing and long lasting, and it can be coloured to match your own teeth.