Dental Fillings: What Are They and Who Needs Them
Dental cavities plague millions of Americans. It is a dental issue that cuts across all ages and is among the leading causes of tooth loss. Even though your teeth are very sturdy, they are not indestructible.
If you neglect them now and then, you might have to deal with cavities shortly. In most cases, cavities will arise due to poor dental hygiene or other underlying conditions such as xerostomia (dry mouth).
However, our cosmetic dentist in 19010 can treat cavities using tooth fillings in Philadelphia, PA, with the current dental technology.
To most people, tooth cavities seem to be grotesque holes that will be excruciating and challenging to fix.
On the contrary, the tooth filling procedure is painless and is designed to alleviate pain.
Understanding Dental Fillings
One of the standard treatments that you’ll find in any dental office is dental fillings. Tooth fillings in Philadelphia, PA, are made from different materials. You can select the type you want depending on your preference.
Fillings are the go-to option when you are looking for a solution for cavities. They are used to repair broken or chipped teeth. Also, our dentist near you can use them to repair worn-out teeth that occur because of nail-biting or bruxism.
Do You Need Tooth Fillings?
Most people have been told from a tender age that cavities are bad for your teeth, and this is true. However, most people take this issue lightly. This is because teeth never get damaged overnight. It might take months or even several years before you notice that your teeth have a problem.
If the problem persists and you don’t get the tooth checked out, you might end up losing your teeth.
In any case, dental fillings can be what you need if you desire to:
- Repair broken teeth
- Treat a cavity
- Repair teeth that have been worn down
How Are Fillings Placed?
The tooth filling procedure is a painless affair. The procedure commences after our dentist has administered local anesthesia to numb the area. Then, the decayed part will be removed using a drill or laser.
Next, our dentist will clean the left space and prepare it to receive the tooth filling. Your pearly whites will be cleaned to remove any decayed matter and bacteria before a filling is placed.
If the decay has gone close to the root, our dentist will place a liner before inserting the filling. This is done to protect the root.
Then, the area will be filled using the material of your choice.
However, for tooth-colored fillings, the approach is slightly different. Our dentist will apply layers of the material until the tooth is filled. However, each layer of the material will be cured under a special light.
Once the tooth has been filled, it will be shaped and the surplus material removed. Lastly, the tooth-colored filling will be polished to ensure that it matches the sheen of the rest of your teeth.
Types of Dental Fillings
Various materials are used to create fillings, such as gold, porcelain, even silver. However, our cosmetic dentist in 19010 offers composite fillings.
These are tooth-colored fillings made from a mixture of quartz or glass filler in a resin medium.
Composite fillings are strong and are resistant to fracture in small to medium-sized restorations, which need to withstand moderate chewing force.
Also, they have excellent aesthetics since they are tooth-colored. Therefore, they will be indistinguishable from the rest of your teeth.
How Long Will the Fillings Last?
As mentioned before, composite fillings are strong and durable. However, they are not as sturdy as metal fillings. But this does not mean that they cannot serve you for some years.
Averagely, the composite fillings will last for at least five years. If you can care for them as you should, then you might extend their lifespan, and they can last for a decade or so.
The Bottom Line
Tooth cavities take time before you notice the real damage. However, when you notice that you have cavities, don’t assume the worst. Visit our dentist at The Dental Spa to get treatment for the cavities. Remember, proper oral care and avoiding chewing hard objects will ensure that the fillings last long.