The Natural Beauty of Tooth Colored Fillings
If you have never had a cavity, congratulations! If you have had one, you are not alone. About 78% of us have had at least one cavity by the time we reach age 17, according to a 2000 report by the U.S. Surgeon General. Fortunately there's a time-tested treatment for cavities: the dental filling.
The first signs of tooth pain can save you time and money.
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Fillings do just what the name implies — seal a small
hole in your tooth, i.e., a cavity, caused by decay. This
prevents the decay (a bacteria-induced infection) from spreading
further into your tooth and, if untreated, continue on to the
sensitive inner pulp (nerve) tissue located in the root canal.
Should that happen, you would need root
canal treatment.
There are a variety of materials used to fill teeth these days, but the process of filling a tooth is similar regardless. The first step is a clinical exam of the tooth with x-rays, to determine the extent of the decay. Then the decayed area of the tooth is removed, usually with a handheld instrument such as a dental drill. Of course, your tooth will be anesthetized first, so you won't feel any discomfort. If you normally feel nervous about receiving numbing injections, it's possible that taking an anti-anxiety medication or using nitrous oxide can help you feel more relaxed. After removing the decay, the remaining tooth structure is roughened or “etched” with a mildly acidic solution; then translucent cement is applied to bond the tooth and the filling material together.
Tooth-Colored Fillings in Wellington, Royal Palm Beach
Composite —
A popular choice for those who don't want their fillings to show,
composite is a mixture of plastic and glass, which actually bonds
to the rest of the tooth. Composites are more expensive than
amalgam fillings, and the newer materials can hold up almost as
long. Less drilling of the tooth is necessary when placing
composite as compared to amalgam.
Porcelain — These high-tech dental
ceramics are strong, lifelike, and don't stain as composites can.
They are sometimes more expensive than composites because they may
require the use of a dental laboratory or specialized
computer-generated technology. While considered the most aesthetic
filling, they can also, because of their relatively high glass
content, be brittle.
Glass Ionomer — Made of acrylic and glass powders, these inexpensive, translucent fillings have the advantages of blending in pretty well with natural tooth color and releasing small amounts of fluoride to help prevent decay. They generally don't last as long as other restorative materials.
The numbness caused by your local anesthesia should wear
off within a couple of hours. Until then, it's best to
avoid drinking hot or cold liquids, and eating on the side of your
mouth with the new filling. Some sensitivity to hot and cold is
normal in the first couple of weeks after getting a tooth
filled. If it persists beyond that, or you have any actual
pain when biting, it could signal that an adjustment to your
filling needs to be made. Continue to brush and
floss as normal every day, and visit the dental office at
least twice per year for your regular checkups and cleanings. And
remember, tooth decay is a very preventable disease; with good oral
hygiene and professional care, you can make your most recent cavity
your last!
Call Your Dentist in Wellington, Royal Palm Beach
561-795-7668 Today and Get Out of Pain!
Book My Appointment Now
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