What are Dental Fillings?
Dental fillings are structures made of metals, polymers, glass, or other substances used to restore or fix teeth.
Your dentist will first "fill" the region on the tooth where the decaying material originally resided after removing the decayed section of the tooth.
Additionally, fillings are utilized to restore teeth that have been damaged by misuse (such as nail-biting or tooth grinding), such as those that are fractured or cracked.
How is a tooth filled?
The tooth's surrounding region will be first numbed by your dentist using a local anesthetic. Next, the deteriorated region will be removed using a drill, air abrasion tool, or laser.
The dentist's comfort level, training, and investment in the specific piece of equipment, as well as the location and severity of the decay, all influence the tool choice.
Following the decay removal procedure, your dentist will probe or test the region to see if all of the decay has been eliminated.
Your dentist will clean the cavity debris after removing the decay to make room for the filling. After placing the filling, your dentist will polish and complete it.
- Gold lasts at least 10-15 years and gives a pleasing look.
- Silver amalgams can last for 10 to 15 years.
- Composite fillings are mainly used for repairs. Its color can resemble the shade of teeth.
- Porcelain lasts more than 15 years.
Filling materials
The frequently used dental filling materials are gold, porcelain, silver amalgam, and composite resin fillings.