Dental Fillings and Their Benefits

Dental fillings in Downtown Toronto are used to repair small areas of a decayed tooth. By preventing further bacterial infections, the decay is halted.

When applying a dental filling, your dentist removes the decayed portion of the tooth and fills it with a protective filling material that shields the space against additional damage. The tooth’s aesthetic function is also restored.

Fillings are made from various types of materials. The most common include amalgam fillings, gold fillings, composite resin, glass ionomer, and porcelain fillings. Each of the above material has its benefits.

Regardless of the filling type, your dentist at Rusholme Family Dentistry will determine which type is best for after diagnosing the decayed tooth.

How Are Cavities Diagnosed?

There are various methods the Little Italy dentist, uses to check the possibility of a cavity. They include:

• Observation – Decayed teeth usually have discolorations on the tooth enamel
• Probe – using this metal instrument, your dentist can detect soft tooth enamel, which are weak spots for decay.
• Dye – It sticks to decayed tooth areas but rinses off on healthy teeth.
• X-ray – Any decay occurring below the tooth enamel is displayed om x-ray images.
• Laser fluorescence – these are miniature wands that can measure changes in the tooth caused by decay.

Reasons to Get A Filling

Fillings provide an effective solution to minor tooth cavities and relatively minor fractures.

While most people get fillings to fill out cavities, these dental prostheses also evenout the tooth surface restoring your bite function.

When decay occurs, there is a possibility of extra sensitivity on the affected tooth. Getting a filling helps minimize this sensitivity as it seals the inner parts of the tooth inside. Cavities, if left untreated, can lead to further damage, which could necessitate tooth extraction.

Note that molars and pre-molars are more prone to effects of decay, and dental carries.Crannies on these chewing teeth are like magnets for food debris. They also require more caution while brushing compared to your front teeth.

Other reasons you might need fillings apart from cavities include tooth fractures caused by:

• Tooth grinding
• Nail-biting
• Misusing teeth by opening wrapping material using your teeth
• Biting on ice
• Chewing on plastics and other hard substances.

Main Types of Fillings and their Merits

Metal Fillings

As the name suggests, metal fillings are made of metallic elements. Mostly involving gold.

Merits

• Durability – Metal fillings can last for up to 15yearswhen well maintained. They don’t corrode.
• Strength – Metal fillings can withstand strong bite forces
• Aesthetics – Gold fillings are more eye-pleasing compared to silver fillings for some people.

Amalgam Fillings

Amalgams, also called silver or mercury fillings, comprise mercury, silver, copper, and tin. Almost half of the compound is mercury, and it aids in binding the other metals together.

Merits

• Durability – They can last between 10 – 15 years. They outlast composite fillings.
• Strength – Amalgams can withstand formidablechewing forces.
• Expense – They are inexpensive compared to composite resins

Composite Resin Fillings
Merits

• Aesthetics – Composite materials are made to match the color of your natural teeth closely. They are best when used on the front teeth.
• Versatility – Composite filling material doesn’t only prevent decay, but is also used to repair broken, chipped, and worn-down teeth.
• Bonding properties – composite resins mechanically bond to the tooth structure, thus provide additional support.

Ceramic Fillings

They are made of porcelain and are more stain-resistant compared to composite resins. Due to its extreme strength, porcelain is priced as much as gold fillings.

Merits

• Porcelain is more stain-resistant compared to any other tooth-colored filling
• Durability is unmatched. They can last for up to 15 years without needing replacement.
• Aesthetics – Porcelain is made to match the color of the natural teeth
• Tooth Preservation – Less tooth needs to be removed when applying porcelain compared to silver and metal fillings.

When Might You Need A Temporary Filling?

Dental Fillings can also be temporary, placed as a treatment while waiting to prepare a full dental treatment.

Temporary fillings are necessary in the following circumstances:

• When your treatment requires many dental visits
• When you have to wait for a certain period for the tooth to heal during treatment
• If your treatment requires a root canal therapy
• When going for an emergency dental treatment

The function of temporary fillings is to fill the damaged tooth, minimize sensitivity, and protect the inner parts from bacterial infection.