Everything You Need to Know About Dental Fillings
Dental fillings can help restore a tooth that is broken, chipped, or damaged because of decay. Tooth filling in Terre Haute can be life-changing find out how.
Most people dread the dentist’s office because they will not like the dentist’s recommendations. Especially if you suspect that you have cavities. The next thing will be to remove the cavity and the decayed part, then fill it.
The procedure has put cold chills in many hearts, and people shun away from the dentist’s office because of the myths surrounding fillings. You might have heard that getting fillings is a painful, severe, and disruptive procedure.
Contrary to these myths, getting a tooth filling in Terre Haute will change your life.
Dental Fillings 101
When our dentist in Terre Haute breaks the news that you have cavities, it can break your heart, especially if you have been maintaining proper oral hygiene. The next obvious thing will be to remove the cavity.
The vuse of fillings is to fill the region where the decayed stuff was removed. Other than that, fillings are also used to repair broken and chipped teeth. They can also repair teeth that have been worn out because of certain habits such as tooth grinding or nail-biting.
How Are They Inserted?
First, our dentist will have to perform root canal treatment to get rid of the infected or decayed area, which starts by numbing the region around the teeth using local anesthesia. Then a laser or a drill will be used to remove the decayed part of the tooth carefully.
Then after the cavity has been removed, our dentist will clean the area and prepare it for receiving the filling.
If the decay is near the root, our dentist will have to put a liner to protect the nerve.
Additional steps have to be followed if you want tooth-colored fillings. When the area to be filled is cleaned, our dentist will apply the tooth-colored material in layers. Then a special light will be used to cure each layer.
After the multilayering phase is complete, our dentist will shape the filling. To remove the extra material, our dentist will trim it off and then polish it.
Types of Fillings
Fillings are made of different materials, from porcelain to metals. Here are the types of fillings depending on the type of materials used:
- Gold Fillings
Gold fillings aren’t made of pure gold but a mixture of metals, including copper. Gold fillings are known for their durability since they can last up to 20 years. Gum tissues can tolerate gold fillings. Even though they are durable, they are quite expensive, and for some people, they aren’t aesthetically pleasing.
- Amalgam Fillings
Amalgam fillings are made of a variety of materials, including silver and tin. They have been in the market for over a century and with good reason. They are durable and less expensive as compared to the gold fillings.
However, they tend to get darker over time and are noticeable, making them appropriate solutions for back teeth. For this reason, most people do not like them because of their poor aesthetics.
Also, there is a small percentage of people who have allergic reactions when exposed to amalgam fillings.
- Porcelain fillings
These are tooth-colored fillings and can resist staining. Porcelain fillings can be used to cover the whole tooth. They are more delicate than gold but can last close to 15 years with proper care. They can also cost nearly as much as the gold fillings.
- Composite Resins
These fillings are used to match the color of your teeth. They are made from powdered glass and acrylic resin. They have good aesthetics, but they are not as durable as amalgam fillings. They aren’t an excellent choice for large fillings since they easily crack when subjected to a bit of pressure.
Also, they tend to stain when exposed to tobacco, coffee, or tea.
- Glass Ionomer
This type of filling is made of special glass material and acrylic. This filling is suited for people who need fillings below the gum line. It is also used in children. These fillings have fluoride and release the fluoride to protect the teeth from decay.
However, they are weaker than the other fillings and last up to five years.
After Care
For your filling to last long, you must have proper oral hygiene, which means that other than brushing and flossing daily, you regularly visit our dentist for cleanings. If you visit our dentist often, then that means that we can monitor the state of your fillings.
Dental fillings are not as bad as they are portrayed to be. They can improve your oral health and still help save your teeth. Contact our well-trained team at Luke Staley Family Dentistry if you have any questions or if you need to book an appointment.