Fillings
Fillings are used to restore a hole or cavity in a tooth. Typically, a dentist prepares the cavity to remove decay or caries that have been identified on the tooth. Once the filling is placed, the tooth no longer has a “cavity”. This is good news for those wishing to qualify or continue membership in our “no cavities” club!
We use both silver, amalgam and tooth colored, composite filling material for our restorations. An amalgam filling is an economical choice for an area of the mouth that is not very visible. They are used in areas that are difficult to isolate and keep dry, which is a critical requirement for placing composite restorations. Tooth colored fillings are made from a ceramic filled, acrylic resin, which can be bonded to the prepared tooth structure. The obvious benefit to this material is the ability to match the color of the filling to the tooth. Composite fillings also provide a better seal to the tooth. The non-metallic nature of this filling allows for less transmission of temperature changes to the center of the tooth, so sensitivity to hot or cold should be less of a problem, when compared to a new amalgam filling. We have found that composite restorations have become more useful, and more durable with the availability of better materials. They are the preferred material in most situations.
Older fillings can breakdown after years of service. It is possible for decay to leak underneath a filling. Ordinary wear and tear from chewing can cause a filing to fracture or wear away. We try to intercept these problems at an early stage, in order to be able to replace the filling with a new one. If the problem is allowed to remain untreated, decay can destroy more tooth structure over time. This can increase the odds of needing more extensive treatment, such as a larger, deeper filing, a crown, or even the loss of the tooth.
