Fillings

Dental Fillings

Dental fillings are used when a tooth in damaged minimally enough to avoid capping and onlay/inlays but cannot be left be left to decay further in case of tooth loss. The tooth may have a small hole caused by tooth decay, and this can be "filled" to prevent further decay and infection, while improving its structural durability. Dental fillings can also improve how the tooth looks, as a hole in the tooth is usually not very pretty to look at. The dental filling itself consists of dental restorative material, usually chosen by a patient. The main dental fillings may be made of either amalgam, (metal mix, contains small amount of mercury and is the cheapest) gold, resin, dental composites, (synthetic resin) and porcelain.

Dental Fillings- What to expect

Your dentist will be able to find a filling during a dental check-up. He or she will ask questions as to whether you have felt any sensitivity or pain in any teeth and where. Your local dentist will also examine every tooth to check for early signs of decay, so they can monitor it and if it becomes a cavity, then they will inform you and arrange for it to be filled with a dental filling that suits you for both your individual dental problems and your own preference. When a cavity or a compromised part of the tooth is discovered, the decaying/compromised part needs to be drilled away and sealed with a filling as soon as possible to prevent further decay and damage. Left untreated a cavity or hole can become a breeding spot for bad bacteria and can infect the gums and loosen surrounding teeth as well as the affected tooth itself.

Your dentist will suggest what type of filling would be best by looking at the location of the cavity, your medical history (to make sure you are not allergic to anything contained in the fillings etc.) the durability of the tooth, the biting force, cost and your own personal and aesthetic needs. It is worth mentioning that there is some debate on the safe use of amalgam fillings due to them containing mercury. Norway, Sweden and Finland have even gone so far as to ban it amalgam fillings, as it creates environmental problems in its production and disposal, especially without a separator to stop mercury ending up in sewers. There are also some concerns that amalgam fillings are not completely safe, it has been linked to allergic reactions and lichenoid lesions in certain cases. However at the present time, no definite conclusions have yet been reached.

How Fillings are applied.

Your dentist will usually arrange a suitable appointment for you to have a filling put in. During the appointment, the dentist will make sure you are comfortable and talk you through the procedure. Your dentist will then anesthetize the affected area around the tooth with the cavity, usually by an injection directly into the gum. The dentist will then remove (usually by drilling) any decaying or damaged matter from the cavity, ensuring than once it is filled, it will not continue to decay underneath the filling. Once cleared, the chosen dental filling is applied and where necessary, molded to the desired shape before being hardened with a special bonding light so that the tooth is improved physically and aesthetically and is fully functional. You may be asked by your dentist to refrain from eating for an hour afterwards to be sure that the filling (depending on filling and type) has settled, and the anesthetic has completely worn off. Your local dentist will also advise you on how to look after your filling.

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