If you need a dental filling because of a cavity, you are not alone. Tooth decay can occur at any age. According to Healthline, 92% of adults over 20 in the United States have had at least one cavity.
A dental filling is a common and relatively simple procedure to remove the decay and restore the tooth. It can be performed in the dentist's office and takes about an hour to fill one tooth.
Your dentist may give you the option to choose between several different types of fillings. Each has its advantages and disadvantages.
The earliest fillings were made of metals such as silver or gold. Gold fillings are still available today, but they are not very common because of the cost.
Silver amalgam fillings are made with a combination of tin, copper, and mercury mixed with silver. They are durable and affordable. However, they distort the color of the tooth. Some people have questioned the safety of silver amalgam fillings because they contain mercury, which is poisonous. Research into the health effects has shown that the mercury content is not enough to be harmful.
Composite fillings are made of acrylic resin mixed with quartz particles or glass. The result is a filling that mimics the appearance of the natural tooth without discoloration. Composite fillings do not contain any hazardous materials such as mercury. Though strong in their own right, they may not be quite as durable as silver amalgam fillings. They are also slightly more expensive.
Like composite fillings, glass ionomer fillings are tooth-colored. They are more expensive than other options and not as strong. Their major advantage is that they help prevent future cavities because the glass they are made of contains fluoride.
A cavity is usually diagnosed with a dental examination and X-rays to determine the extent of the decay. You usually make an appointment to have the dental filling done at a later date.
When you arrive for your filling appointment, the first step is to numb the area where the treatment is to take place. This desensitizes the nerves so you do not feel any pain.
The next step is typically to remove the decayed tissue. This is accomplished using a dental drill. The space that is left behind is filled with the material that you and your dentist chose for the filling. Depending on the material, the dentist may use a special blue light to cure the filling. Otherwise, it will harden on its own.
With a silver amalgam filling, the dentist may ask you to avoid eating hard foods for about 24 hours following the procedure to allow it to harden completely. Otherwise, you can usually go back to your normal activities immediately after a filling.
Tooth decay is common, affecting people of all ages. By the age of 64, most adults in the United States have had at least one dental filling. It is a simple procedure with very little recovery that can be performed right in the dentist's office.
Request an appointment here: https://www.1dentalwellness.com or call Dental Wellness at (605) 252-5955 for an appointment in our Sioux Falls office.
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Google: Composite Fillings in Sioux Falls, SD.
A dental fillings is one of the main procedures performed on patients. Everyone should see their dentist twice a year. It is during these visits where most oral health issues are detected. If you see your dentist routinely, they can treat these issues right away before they become more severe. Usually, a dentist discovers a…
A dental filling is one of the most common ways to restore teeth that are in bad shape. They have been used for many years for patients of all ages. Because there are many different types of dental restorations, it can be difficult to know in what situation each is used. Keep reading to learn…
Thinking you want to prevent yourself from having to get dental fillings? No one wants to have a cavity, but when they do, it needs to be filled in order to protect the tooth. While it is indeed necessary for you to brush your teeth at least twice a day and floss your teeth at…
Weak teeth can create a lot of oral problems, which is why it is a good idea to consider cosmetic dentistry. While most people believe that cosmetic dentistry only focuses on the appearance of the teeth, that is actually far from the truth. Cosmetic dentists specialize in improving both the form and function of the…