Dental Fillings
The process of filling cavities is a fairly simple and straightforward one that can be done right at your dentist's office.
Dental Fillings Balwyn- What to Expect
You should expect to be at your dentist's office for around an hour. This gives them enough time to take x-rays if needed, talk to you about the procedure and complete the dental work. Before filling cavities, your dentist will numb your teeth, gums and surrounding skin to avoid and lessen discomfort during the procedure. Next, they will drill out the decay in the tooth and replace it with a filling. This process only takes a few minutes.
Once you're done, your mouth will probably remain numb for a few more hours. There aren’t any significant risks associated with filling cavities, but be sure to keep your Tower Dental dentist’s contact information on hand in case you have any questions or complications.
The most common use of tooth fillings is to fill a cavity in the tooth. But tooth fillings also can be used to repair damage to teeth caused by teeth grinding (bruxism) or to replace part of a broken tooth.
Dental fillings Kew
Fillings (Silver-Colored)
Dental amalgam is made from a combination of metals that include mercury, silver, tin, and copper. Sometimes described as “silver-colored” fillings, dental amalgam has been used by dentists for more than 100 years because it lasts a long time and is less expensive than other cavity-filling materials such as tooth-colored composites or gold fillings.
Because of their durability, these silver-colored fillings are often the best choice for large cavities or those that occur in the back teeth where a lot of force is needed to chew. Amalgam hardens quickly so it is useful in areas that are difficult to keep dry during placement, such as below the gum line. Because it takes less time to place than tooth-colored fillings, amalgam is also an effective material for children and special needs people who may have a difficult time staying still during treatment.
One disadvantage of amalgam is that these types of fillings are not natural looking, especially when the filling is near the front of the mouth, where it may show when you laugh or speak. Also, to prepare the tooth, the dentist may need to remove more tooth structure to place an amalgam filling than for other types of fillings.
Dental fillings Surrey Hills
Are mercury dental fillings dangerous?
Although dental amalgam is a safe, commonly used dental material, you may wonder about its mercury content. It’s important to know that when combined with the other metals, it forms a safe, stable material. Credible scientific studies affirm the safety of dental amalgam. Study after study shows amalgam is safe and effective for filling cavities. The Australian Dental Association and World Health Organization all agree that based on extensive scientific evidence, dental amalgam is a safe and effective cavity-filling material.
It’s interesting to note that the mercury [methylmercury] found in water that can build up in fish and lead to health problems if you ingest too much, is not the same type of mercury used in amalgam.
The ADA supports continued research on all dental filling materials and would promptly inform the public if the scientific community and government regulatory bodies determined that any cavity filling material was unsafe for patients. Your dentist in Balwyn’s foremost priority is your health and safety. Which is why the ADA encourages you to talk with your dentist about your cavity treatment options and what’s right for you.
Dental fillings Hawthorn
Types of Cavity Fillings
Many options are available for tooth fillings, and all of them have their pros and cons. Types of tooth fillings include gold, silver amalgam (a composite of mercury, silver, and other metals), tooth-colored composite material, porcelain, and a special type of glass. The best tooth fillings for you will depend on cost, what your insurance may cover, and your aesthetic preferences.
There is a wide variety of materials used for filling cavities and they vary in strength and color. The two most common types are amalgam and composite.
- Amalgam Fillings: Amalgam has been used by dental professionals for more than a century; it is the most researched material used for filling cavities. Amalgam fillings are strong and are therefore ideal for filling cavities in the back of the mouth such as in the molars, where chewing takes place. Since they are made of a combination of several metallic elements, amalgam fillings can be noticeable when you laugh or smile. These fillings are among the least expensive of all cavity-filling materials.
- Composite Fillings: Sometimes referred to as composites or filled resins, these fillings feature a combination of glass or quartz filler and can be made to match the color of your tooth. Composite fillings are also fairly durable and are ideal for small-to-mid-size restorations in areas of your mouth that perform moderate chewing.
- Metals: Gold or silver amalgam are the most common metals used for a cavity filling. Gold fillings can cost as much as 10 times more than silver amalgam fillings, but some people prefer the appearance of gold to silver fillings if they want the durability of metal vs. a less-durable composite material. Some people don’t like the appearance of metal fillings, but metal fillings can last as long as 10-15 years before they need to be replaced.
- Ceramic: A ceramic cavity filling (usually made of porcelain) is tooth-colored, and it may be less likely to show tooth stains over time than a composite cavity filling. But price is a factor—a ceramic filling can be nearly as expensive as a gold cavity filling.
- Glass Ionomer: This blend of acrylic and glass is used to create a cavity filling that releases fluoride to help protect teeth. But a glass ionomer cavity filling is less durable than other types, and may need to be replaced in as little as five years.
Dental fillings Camberwell
Taking Care of Cavity Fillings
You may experience some sensitivity and pain after receiving tooth fillings, but this discomfort should subside. Don't neglect your oral care routine. Instead, try products designed specifically to protect sensitive teeth.
Cavity Prevention
Ultimately, the best dental filling is no dental filling. Prevention is the best medicine. You can dramatically decrease your risk of cavities and other dental diseases simply by:
- Brushing your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste
- Flossing daily
- Eating a balanced diet
- Visiting the dentist regularly
A few things that put you at higher risk for tooth decay:
- Smoking, or breathing secondhand smoke
- Having diabetes
- Eating high carbohydrate or sugary foods that feed the bacteria in your mouth. Lack of brushing or flossing teeth on a regular basis
- Not seeing a dentist for regular screenings and checkups.
- Having dry mouth, or not enough saliva. Saliva washes away food and sugars that harm teeth, protecting and remineralizing a tooth’s enamel
Dental fillings Mont Albert
Symptoms
Often times, you won’t experience any symptoms when a cavity first develops. That’s why seeing a dentist for regular check ups is crucial for catching cavities before they cause major damage to your teeth. As the decay worsens, you may have the following symptoms and signs:
Tooth sensitivity, toothache, pain when biting down, pain when eating or drinking something sweet, hot, or cold, visible holes or pits in teeth, brown, black, or white stains on tooth surface.
7 Ways to Prevent Tooth Decay
- Brush your teeth after eating with fluoride toothpaste. Ideally, it's best to brush after every meal, no less than twice a day. Using a toothpaste that contains fluoride is highly recommended. If you consume sugary substances, you should wait at least 30 minutes before brushing so that you don’t brush away the enamel on your teeth. If you’re unable to brush your teeth after eating, you can at least rinse your mouth with water or mouthwash. If you have a young child, it’s important to consult your dentist about how to care for their teeth.
- Rinse regularly. Your dentist at Tower Dental may recommend that you rinse with mouthwash containing fluoride if you’re at a high risk for developing cavities. You can ask them about what type/brand they would recommend to best fight cavities.
- Get a dental sealant. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends sealants for all school-age children. Still, they are helpful for both adults and children. Fissure sealants are a protective, plastic coating that seal off the grooves and crannies of teeth where food and bacteria tend to collect. They are applied to the chewing surface of the back teeth, and they last up to 10 years before they need to be replaced.
- Keep up with regular dental visits. Talk to your dentist about how frequently you’ll need visit to maintain your oral health. Regular oral exams, professional teeth cleanings, and other treatments can help prevent dental decay and spot problems early on.
- Limit your frequent snacking and sipping. Eating or drinking a little here and there throughout the day puts your teeth under constant attack, especially when you eat sugary foods. The bacteria in your mouth feeds off of the carbs and sugars to produce an acid that destroys tooth enamel. The best thing to do is to drink water frequently instead, taking sips between bites, and keep the snacking to a minimum.
- Stick to tooth-healthy foods. Diet is crucial to all aspects of health, including oral health. Foods that tend to get stuck in your teeth for long periods of time will promote tooth decay, such as chips or cookies. And of course, processed, sugary foods aren’t a good option either. Instead, opt for fresh vegetables and fruits, as they actually help increase saliva flow and remineralize tooth enamel.
- Consider an antibacterial treatment. Sometimes medical conditions or other scenarios might make you especially vulnerable to dental erosion and decay. In this case, you might want to talk to your dentist about treatments to help cut down on harmful bacteria, such as special antibacterial mouth rinses.
Dental fillings Deepdene
Find out how our friendly dentists can help you look your best with the benefits of better oral health and physical well-being.
Schedule an appointment online or call our office on 03 9817 7144 to arrange a personal consultation today.