What Are The Different Types Of Dental Fillings?
Sometimes, accidents happen, and we are left with teeth that are chipped or broken. At other times, decay eats deep into the teeth, leaving holes and gaps. Dental fillings near you are a viable solution to these situations. Let’s see what they are and what kinds are there.
Dental fillings are artificial substances that are used to fill in the holes or gaps in the enamel of damaged teeth. When teeth are damaged, chewing and stability are compromised. There is a risk of further damage and eventual loss of the tooth. Fillings restore the balance. They can be used to fill the holes in tooth enamel created by decay. However, decay must spare the inner pulp before dental fillings are considered. At the inner pulp, we have blood vessels and nerves that can be damaged in the process of filling. Dental fillings in Brooklyn, NY are also used to restore worn-out or eroded teeth.
What Can You Expect When Getting A Filling?
When getting your dental filling at 11214, your dentist will start the process by numbing the gum. This is done using an injection of local anesthetic. Next, they remove residual areas of decay if any. The teeth are then cleaned, washed, and dried. The last process is to use the material available to fill the defect, thereby restoring normal architecture. You will be asked to bite hard to see if the filling is appropriate or requires any adjustment.
Types Of Dental Filling
Many materials are used to make dental fillings in Brooklyn. Let us start with the most known type. Silver amalgam combines silver, tin, zinc, copper, and mercury into a strong, durable, and affordable material. You can understand why it is a popular option. It can last as long as a decade or more when used well. They are very easy to fit into the cavity and dentists have no concerns with blood or saliva contamination. However, silver amalgam is not the type of filling you get for aesthetics. If your damaged tooth is very visible, it is best not to use silver amalgam for filling. The material tends to crack or expand over time, creating spaces that can trap food and bacteria. This can lead to more cavities.
Silver amalgam fillings are not used for certain populations because they contain mercury. Women who are pregnant or planning to, nursing mothers, children under 6 fall under this category. People with already existing neurological diseases, impaired kidney function, and mercury allergies cannot use silver amalgam too.
Composite fillings are another type. A resin and plastic material is used to fill the cavity when soft. This is hardened with the use of a bright blue “curing” light. Because it can match a person’s teeth shade. However, they do not last as long and are more expensive than silver amalgam. Ceramic fillings are another tooth-colored option. They last longer than composite resin provided that they are large. This is a disadvantage. Small ceramic fillings are brittle and tend to break easily. Hence, the area in the tooth is made larger to provide room for the extra bulk.
Glass ionomer fillings are best for children. This is because they release fluoride which helps to prevent tooth decay. However, they do not last very long. They also don’t match teeth color as well as the former two. Gold fillings are expectedly the most expensive on the list. They are also the most durable. Of course, they don’t match teeth color and are often used as a statement of affluence.
Are There Any Risks To Filling Your Teeth?
Some people experience tingling or pain when chewing for some days after a dental filling at 11214. This reaction is more pronounced with hot or cold food. There is also a little risk of infection at the site of filling. On rare occasions, the filling can cause damage to the nerves of the tooth. Other than these few instances, you have nothing to worry about when getting your dental filling in Brooklyn, NY.