One of the most common dental treatments performed worldwide, dental fillings, is used to address the damage caused by tooth decay by fixing the cavities.
A dental filling is a dental treatment that restores a tooth affected by decay, cavities, or minor cracks back to its regular shape, structure, and function. By using dental fillings to fix cavities and decay, the tooth can be saved from future issues that may even necessitate tooth loss.
The process of addressing a cavity with dental filling involves the following steps. Once our dentist assesses your teeth and confirms your candidacy for the procedure, the treatment begins by numbing the area so that you stay comfortable throughout the procedure. Next, we will remove the decayed or damaged material inside the tooth and clean the area to remove the decay. Then, the cleaned-out space is filled with a suitable filling material and uses a curing light to harden the material. Next, using a shaping tool, we will shape and contour your tooth, polish it, and match it with the neighboring teeth. Once done, the last step involves examining your bite and making necessary changes if needed.
The major types of dental fillings based on the materials used are as follows:
Silver Amalgam Fillings
They use a combination of tin, copper, mercury, and silver. These amalgam fillings are best suited for back teeth as they do not match our natural dental color. They are durable and last for more than ten years.
Composite Dental Fillings
They are made of dental-grade plastic, powdered glass, other ceramic materials, and a resin base and resemble our natural teeth. They are chemically bonded to the existing tooth structure after removing the damage to offer extra support to the teeth. Composite dental fillings are mostly used to seal cavities or fix chips and minor gaps in the teeth.
Glass Ionomer Fillings
Glass Ionomer Fillings are fabricated from acrylic and a specific type of glass material. They are generally used for young patients or to treat the space beneath the gum line. The unique part about these fillings is that they strengthen our teeth and adjacent structure by releasing fluorides.
Gold Fillings
They are made from an alloy of gold and copper and are popular because of their strength. However, because of their unnatural appearance, they are used mainly for the rear teeth.
Ceramic Fillings
Ceramic fillings are fabricated from porcelain and are popular as they are durable, stain-resistant, and are immune to abrasion.
If you would like to know more about dental fillings, give us a call at (303) 4222502, or visit us at Ralston Creek Dental, 10229 W 58th Ave, Arvada, CO 80002.
