dental filling

A filling is used to treat a small hole, or cavity, in a tooth. To repair a cavity, a dentist removes the decayed tooth tissue and then fills the space with a filling material. Tooth decay is damage to a tooth that can happen when harmful bacteria in your mouth make acids that attack the tooth enamel. Dental Filling is a treatment modality to restore missing tooth structure which could have been a result of decay or trauma. Decay makes tooth hollow. Dental Filling helps to fill this gap and protect it from further decay. A filling is also used to repair broken or cracked tooth and the teeth which wear off due to dental habits like teeth grinding, nail biting etc.

Who Will Benefit From Dental Fillings?

Aside from being highly beneficial in filling in a cavity that has been cleared of the decayed portion of the tooth, dental fillings are great for patients with damaged teeth. Certain types of fillings can also be used to repair cracked or broken teeth, teeth that have been severely worn down, or even discoloration. In severe cases of extreme fracture or decay to the tooth, a crown may be recommended to help achieve the desired results.

 What are the different types of fillings?

Your dentist will discuss the various materials that can be used to fill your cavity. According to the American Dental Association (ADA), some of the most widely used options include the following materials:

1.Silver-color fillings

These are metal amalgams — a combination of mercury, silver, tin, and copper. This material is more durable than tooth-color fillings and generally more affordable than other materials, per the ADA. Some people may have concerns about the mercury content, but the ADA has found no clinical evidence that amalgam fillings are harmful. That said, these types of fillings are being phased out.

2.White tooth-color fillings (composites) 

These are a mix of glass or quartz particles and acrylic resin. This material is durable and costs a little more than metal amalgams, according to the ADA.

3.Gold fillings

 This mix of gold, copper, and other metals is very durable but more expensive. They’re also not natural looking. Gold fillings are usually made in a lab after the dentist takes an impression of your tooth.

4.Glass ionomer fillings 

These are also tooth-colored fillings, but they are not as strong as composites. They’re made of acrylic and a type of glass that contains fluoride, which can help prevent cavities. They’re often used for children’s teeth and are more expensive than amalgams.

Dental Filling Complications

1.Tooth sensitivity

A tooth that has just had a filling placed will be more sensitive to hot and cold foods, air temperature, and therefore biting pressure. This type of tooth pain after filling a cavity should go away in a couple of weeks. If not, contact your dentist.

2.Allergic reaction to dental fillings

Some people are allergic to the fabric used for fillings, such as silver. To help avoid tooth pain after filling a cavity, be sure to inform your dentist of any allergies when discussing your filling options.

3.Tooth sensitivity

A tooth that has just had a filling placed will be more sensitive to hot and cold foods, air temperature, and therefore biting pressure. This type of tooth pain after filling a cavity should go away in a couple of weeks. If not, contact your dentist.