Dental cavities are the culprits behind tooth decay, and if not addressed on time you can end up losing your tooth. Tooth decay is an irreversible process, but the use of dental fillings can correct it. Dental fillings come in different materials and color. The most commonly used is the traditional dental filling.
Trauma caused to your teeth may lead to breakage. Once a tooth breaks or chips there is no way it will grow back, and this is the reason why dentist corrects this dental flaw by use of a dental filling.
If you have decayed or broken tooth you need not worry since you can have your tooth back and restore your smile with a dental filling. Not all dental fillings will meet your needs, and it is necessary you learn about the commonly used fillings and decide which one is the best for you.
This article will give you a comparison of two commonly used dental filling to make your work easier.
What is a Tooth Filling?
Fillings are dental restorations that correct and restore a damaged tooth. Before a dental filling treatment begins, your dentist will first assess the nature and extent of the damage.
The dentist will remove and clean all decayed portions of the tooth before filling it up with the desired material. The filling should cover the entire cavity preventing bacteria from entering and infecting the tooth. The choice and color of the tooth filling depend on which filling you choose to use.
Different Types of Tooth Filling
There are various types of tooth filling materials but this article will discuss two significant types commonly used.
Amalgam
It is a composition of mercury, zinc, copper, tin, and silver with mercury taking the highest percentage of about 50% of the entire composition. Amalgam is an older type of filling used since the beginning of dental fillings.
Many people prefer not to use this kind of filling due to is silver appearance. Though this kind of filling is generally only used on the back molars so the silver filling won’t be too obvious. These fillings can last a long time, sometimes up to ten years.
Composite Resin
It is a mixture of glass and plastic which has the color of the natural tooth. It is divided into direct and indirect tooth filling. Your dentist will advise you accordingly based on the filling your tooth requires.
The direct filling is perfect for the teeth in the back, and it is usually hardened by use of bright blue light. The direct filling is completed in one-dental visit because it doesn’t require any impressions and molds of your teeth.
Indirect composite resin requires your dentist to take impressions of your tooth to guide the dental laboratory technicians in the making of a perfect restoration for your broken tooth. It is commonly used on the front teeth that are more visible.
It requires two dental visits because it is necessary for your dentist to take impressions and send them to the lab for the use of making a restoration that matches your natural tooth.
When compared to amalgam composite resin is a bit costly and may not last as long. But the composite resin is the best when it comes to appearance since nobody will know you have a dental filling. Unlike amalgam filling, composite resin doesn’t require a lot of drilling and removal of the natural tooth.
Benefits of a Tooth-Colored Fillings
There are many benefits to choosing a tooth-colored filling. Here are some of the distinct advantages.
Appearance
It has the same or almost the same color as the natural tooth. You will not have to worry about people noticing that you have a dental filling. A tooth-colored filling is best used on front teeth because these teeth are the ones that usually show when you are smiling and laughing.
Less Removal of Tooth Structure
With silver fillings, more of the tooth structure must be removed to allow the filling material to properly bond with the tooth and provide a strong restoration. Whereas with tooth-colored fillings all that must be removed is the decayed or damaged portion of the tooth, allowing more of your healthy tooth structure to remain intact.
The appearance of your teeth can influence your self-esteem and confidence either positively or negatively. Selecting a dental filling that will cater to your aesthetic looks and at the same time protecting your oral health is crucial for sound dental health.
