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Dental Fillings – The Facts You Need To Know!
After drilling out the cavities dental fillings are inserted in teeth
to restorate the damaged or decayed tooth. The drilling is needed
to remove damaged enamel and dentin (the inside layer of the tooth
that can be damaged by tooth decay. After drilling the tooth is filled
with (mostly) amalgam dental fillings to restore the tooth. After
this procedure a damaged tooth can be used again. Tooth fillings might
have to be replaced or topped up at some point, but that is a matter
of years.
The Right Candidates for Dental Filling
People with cavities in teeth as a result of tooth decay or possibly
damaged teeth as a result of, for example, an accident, can usually
be treated with a drilling and filling procedure. Cavities that have
not developed too far down into the teeth and pulp of the tooth can
be drilled. If the pulp has been reached by a cavity, infection might
occur and a drilling procedure and tooth fillings cannot be applied.
Comparing Temporary and Permanent Fillings
Temporary fillings are a possibility when tooth decay has gone down
into the tooth and is close to the pulp (soft area inside the tooth).
The temporary filling is applied by placing a special medicated filing
over the damaged tooth. When the pulp inside the tooth has healed
the temporary filing will be removed and a permanent filling can be
applied.
Types of Dental Fillings
There are different types of dental fillings. They are as follows
Amalgam
Amalgam fillings (also known as metal fillings) may contain mercury.
Mercury in dental fillings has been questioned as the absorption of
the body of mercury could contribute to diseases such as dementia
and multiple sclerosis. Amalgam fillings are made up of a composition
of metals containing silver, copper, tin and zinc and mercury liquid.
Composite Resin
Composite resin fillings or plastic dental fillings are an alternative
to metal tooth fillings. Composite dental fillings look like a natural
tooth and will not show any signs of a filling in the mouth when smiling
or opening the mouth. These fillings are just as strong and durable
as metal fillings and should last approximately 6-12 years.
Other Fillings
Amalgam dental fillings tend to blacken over time and there is a small
risk of small amounts of mercury ending up in the body with this type
of filling. These fillings tend to last a bit longer (approximately
20-25 years) than composite resin fillings and can be applied in a
less time consuming procedure. These fillings are covered by any dental
insurance.
Composite dental fillings look like natural teeth and are made of
plastic. The filling will not change color. However the filling will
possibly last for a shorter period of time and the costs of composite
resin fillings might not always be covered by your health insurance dental insurance.
