Dental Filling

By: Ken Hurt

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Dental fillings are used, when there is a decayed portion in the mouth which requires to be treated with a dental filling. Dental fillings apart from tooth decay may also be required in cases where the tooth is broken, cracked, worn out due to tooth grinding, nail biting and when teeth are used to open items such as bottles.

Information on dental filling-

The steps involved in dental filling are-

1. After the area of the tooth has been determined by the dentist for filling it would be numbed with a local anesthetic.
2. The decayed area in the mouth would be removed with a help of laser, air abrasion instrument or a drill. The instrument used for removing the decayed area would be the choice of the dentist mainly depending on the case.
3. After the decayed part has been completely removed, the dentist would make space for the filling by cleaning the cavity of debris and bacteria.
4. If the dentist determines that the decay is in the root or surrounding the root he would initially put a liner which is made up pf composite resin or glass ionomer to protect the nerve from damage.

 

Types of dental fillings are as under-

There are various types of dental filling materials which are available such as- gold, porcelain, silver amalgam- a mixture of silver, tin, zinc, copper along with mercury and composite resin fillings.

Cast gold fillings:

Advantages of gold fillings-

Cast gold fillings are durable in nature. They can last up to 15 years, unless the filling corrodes. These fillings can withstand any amount of chewing.

Drawbacks of cast gold fillings-

Cast gold fillings are expensive in nature, as they are made up of more than 10 materials. Cast gold fillings can lead to a galvanic shock when an interaction occurs with the metals and saliva present in the mouth.

Silver fillings:

Advantages of silver fillings-

Silver fillings are durable and can last up to 15 years. These fillings offer strength and can withstand any amount of chewing.

Drawbacks of silver fillings-

Silver fillings are not aesthetic, as the colour does not match the natural colour of the teeth. When a silver filling is put to use, it causes destruction of the tooth structure as space has to be made to hold the filling. Amalgam fillings are known to create a grayish discoloration to the surrounding teeth.

Composite fillings:

Advantages of composite fillings-

Composite fillings are pleasing to the eye, as they are shown to match the colour of the existing teeth. Composite fillings are versatile in nature as they can also be used to repair broken, chipped and worn out teeth.

Drawbacks of composite fillings-

Composite fillings are not durable in nature, as they are known to last for around 5 years. These fillings are not suitable for high density chewing areas in the mouth as they can chip easily. 

Your dentist would be the most suited authority to determine which dental filling would be suitable for you depending on the extent of the tooth decay.

 

About the Author

Dr. Ken Hurt is a well known dentist and has been in this field since 1995. He is graduated in doctor of dental medicine from London University. His interest lies in cosmetic dentistry, gum and teeth replacement, children dentistry, drug therapy, psychology in dentistry, oral surgery and pathology.

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