Dental decay is one of the most common oral diseases in the world. The primary cause is plaque buildup, which leads to infection and gum disease. When you have mild decay, teeth fillings can come in handy. They also help to fix cracked, broken and worn down teeth.
Cracked and broken teeth can cause a lot of problems, including pain and difficulty in eating. They can affect the quality of your life and make it harder to eat or talk. Getting dental fillings near you can help fix these dental problems.
What are Dental or Teeth Fillings?
Dental fillings are restorations that fix and repair the surface of a tooth to its original form. Their primary purpose is to treat cavities. They are available in alloys, such as silver, gold, nickel, and copper.
Dental fillings can be either temporary or permanent. Temporary fillings are often used after procedures like a root canal. They do not last for long, and it is important to visit a dentist near you for a permanent one.
What Are The Types of Dental Fillings?
There are a few different types of dental fillings, and a dentist in Port Charlotte will choose the ideal option based on the type of material used to make it and the location in the mouth where it is placed.
- Composite Teeth Fillings
This is made of plastic resin mixed with a base resin, such as glass or porcelain with metal powders, particles, or fibers.
Composite teeth fillings are less likely to cause problems with your natural teeth, but they are prone to cracking.
- Metal Teeth Fillings
Metal teeth fillings are stronger and more effective than composite ones because they have a hard surface that can resist small amounts of acid, food particles, and decay-causing bacteria that come in contact with them.
They come in various metals such as copper, gold, silver, and alloys of these metals.
- Amalgam fillings
An amalgam filling contains elements, such as mercury (quicksilver) mixed with other metals and then poured into an oral cavity. This mixture hardens over time.
How Do the Dental Fillings Work?
Tooth enamel has a sturdy structure and is resistant to most environmental damage and acid erosion. When tooth decay occurs, it weakens the enamel enough for bacteria to leach into the dentin layer beneath it. The exposure of this dentin triggers an inflammatory response which causes pain and swelling in affected areas. A Murdock dentist will use teeth fillings to repair the problem.
What are the Benefits of Dental Fillings?
Dental fillings seal small holes on the teeth that are caused by cavities or cracked tooth enamel.
These restorations can restore damaged tooth enamel, and prevent decay from re-emerging into the mouth. They also protect against bacteria and strengthen the teeth.
What is the Process of Getting Teeth Fillings?
The process will take an hour or less, depending on the type of filling you want.
Some fillings like composite can take longer because it is applied in layers. Inlay or Onlay (Gold or porcelain) fillings cannot be done in one visit because you need a dental impression made.
Dr. R. Boyd Gilleland will apply a numbing agent on the gums and then drill the tooth. He will remove the decayed area and clean the tooth before filling it.
How to Care for Your Dental Fillings
Dental fillings are common and often required as they are a vital part of our oral health. But, you need to care for them to prevent damage. If the restorations become loose, they can cause tooth sensitivity or even damage to your mouth.
You will want to make sure that you are brushing and flossing your teeth every day and maintaining a healthy diet with enough fluoride in it. Also, avoid using products that can damage tooth enamel, such as toothpaste with abrasives.
How Often Should You Replace Dental Fillings?
Our dentist in 33952 recommends replacing your fillings at least once every 5-6 years. This is because the materials that are used to make the fillings can wear out and cause bacteria to grow.
Schedule an Appointment
Visit R. Boyd Gilleland DDS for more information about dental fillings and how they are fixed.