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.
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