Different Types Of Dental Fillings

Your dentist may want to remove the decayed portion of your tooth and fill that empty slot with a material known as a dental filling. Fillings are also used to treat cracks and chips on teeth.

Steps involved in tooth filling

The dentist will start by numbing the area around the tooth that requires filling. He will then use a drill, laser, or air abrasion instrument to remove the decayed portion of the tooth.

After removing the decayed area of the tooth, the dentist will check the area to determine if the decay has been removed completely. Next, he or she will prepare the area for filling by cleaning the debris and bacteria. After filling that slot, he will polish it to make it a part of your tooth.

If you have opted for tooth-colored filling, the dentist will have to add several steps in the process. He will apply filling in layers. A special ‘curing light’ will be used to harden the filling material. After completing the multi-layer process, he will trim off the excess filling material and polish the surface.

Types of filling materials

There are a lot of dental filling options available. These options differ based on the types of material they use. These materials include gold, porcelain, silver amalgam, and tooth-colored filling.

The type of dental filling you will get depends on the extent of tooth decay, cost of filling material, and recommendation by your dentist.

We will now discuss the advantages and disadvantages of dental fillings.

Cast gold fillings

Advantages

• Cast gold fillings are durable enough to last 10 to 15 years.
• These fillings are strong enough to endure pressure during the chewing process.
• Gold fillings are more aesthetically pleasing than silver amalgams.

Disadvantages

• Gold cast fillings can be highly expensive.
• You are going to need to visit your dentist at least two times to have these fillings.
• Having gold cast fillings next to dental amalgam can result in galvanic shock, which refers to pain due to the electric current caused by the interaction between two metals. It doesn't happen quite frequently, though.

Silver amalgam

Advantages

• Silver amalgam can last 10 to 15 years.
• Due to their strength, these fillings can ensure chewing forces.
• These fillings are less expensive than composite fillings.

Disadvantages

• The color of silver amalgam may be similar to that of the tooth decay sometimes. Generally, the color of amalgam is not aesthetically pleasing.
• Your dentist may have to remove a significant part of the healthy tooth to make space for dental amalgam.
• Exposure to hot and cold can result in the dental amalgam to expand or contract, which can increase the risk of cracks and fractures in the tooth.
• Allergic reactions, although rare, can occur due to dental amalgams.

Tooth-colored fillings

Advantages

• The dentist will match the exact shade that of your teeth before placing tooth-colored fillings. These fillings are particularly suitable for the visible teeth.
• These fillings adhere to the tooth at the micro-mechanical level, which results in a stronger bond.
• These fillings are also suitable to repair chips and decays.

Disadvantages

• Tooth-colored fillings are not as durable as other types of fillings.
• Placement of tooth-colored fillings takes some extra time.
• You may have to pay more than one dental visit to have tooth-colored fillings.
• These fillings can be expensive.

 

Make sure you are getting more water for your dental health this year

I am fairly certain that you already know that brushing your teeth two times a day and flossing once per day is generally a healthy dental routine. But what else can you do to keep your dental health top-notch? Believe it or not, along with a New Years' resolution diet, drinking water can play a big part.  Water is what we are mostly made up of and we need to be drinking up to 8 glasses a day to keep our body in tip-top shape.  Most of the time that simply annoys us because we end up in the bathroom all the time, but that is actually how our body is supposed to run.  I am 100% sure that it is also a huge help to other parts of our health and surprisingly that can be our dental health too.  It is incredible what water can do for our teeth and even our breath.  As the mask mandates continue our breath is more important than ever. 

One thing that really impacts your daily life and has to do with drinking more water is that it can help clean your teeth.  By drinking water, you not only hydrate your body but also flood out your mouth so that residue doesn’t eat at your enamel. Water also helps to wash residue away, just like saliva does. So, any food particles that somehow escape your twice-a-day brushing routine (which you should be sticking to!) are taken care of by water washing it away. 

Another benefit that comes with drinking water is that most water has some amount of Fluoride.

We have all heard the rumors about the military tracking our teeth, but Fluoride is known as, “Natures’s cavity fighter”. It’s what resides in almost every kind of toothpaste and is the reason we brush our teeth in the first place. Not only does it wash away food residue, but fluoride is also known to help build up any lost enamel in your teeth. This allows your teeth to stay on top of the constant tug of war with bacteria.

I think one of the absolute best things that water does is that it keeps your mouth hydrated and increases saliva flow.  Believe it or not, saliva is the body's first shield against tooth decay.  Saliva helps wash away unwanted food and covers your teeth with calcium phosphate and fluoride. Because water keeps your mouth hydrated, it allows your salivary glands to work better, so drink a little more of it.  Water helps to fight dry mouth. If your mouth is dry, your teeth risk erosion simply because saliva flow is low, which means your mouth won’t be as healthy and active in killing and washing away harmful bacteria. So fill up your water bottle of choice and get to sipping.

Getting a good water bottle is sometimes the answer to drinking more.  It has to not only be comfortable but it has to fit your work or lifestyle situation.  My family each has a nice water bottle that we take to work and each and everyone is different to fit our styles and also our work.  It is important to make sure it fits in and is comfortable with your lifestyle, so don't be afraid to shop.