The Role of Dental Fillings in Dentistry
Modern dentistry has made it much easier to disseminate information about dental health. Even then, dental cavities are still a reality across the globe. Not only do children get dental cavities, many adults too succumb to dental cavities and tooth decays. Detecting an oral cavity early enough is the best way to manage the problem before the damage escalates. However, not everyone is as keen on their dental health. A huge part of the world’s population has to deal with dental decay. Fortunately, even a decayed tooth can still be salvaged, as long as the effects are not allowed too much time to progress. Read on to find out more about dental fillings and their role in treating teeth.
What Are Dental Fillings?
They feature different materials that are used to fill cavities in teeth. Dental fillings in Edmonton, AB is about filling up the decayed part of a tooth with a material that will hold the tooth in place. The goal of dental fillings is to prevent further infection of the tooth. Besides, filling a tooth helps preserve the tooth and increase the lifespan of that tooth.
Dental fillings in dentistry are created for the sole purpose of repairing teeth. Dental fillings in Edmonton are, therefore, used in restorative dentistry. There are different reasons why you would require your tooth to be filled. One of the most common ones is to treat dental decay. However, it is not the only reason.
One other reason you could need a dental filling is when you have a cracked or broken tooth. Usually, this can pass off as a cosmetic problem. However, there are situations where the crack or breakage increases the risk of infection in your teeth. This means that the lost part of the tooth may expose the rest of it to bacteria.
Different Types of Dental Fillings
Dental fillings come in different types, based on the material used to make them. The different types come with different advantages, ranging from sturdiness to cosmetic advantage. The different types include the following:
- Gold fillings – are made from gold material, which makes for a sturdy dental filling. They are best used for the back teeth. They, however, are not cosmetically pleasing and can be very costly.
- Silver fillings – otherwise known as amalgams. They are very common in dentistry, featuring silver as the main material. They are fairly sturdy enough for use in the back teeth. Their affordability makes them more attractive to patients. However, they are as well not cosmetically appealing.
- Composites – they are tooth-colored dental fillings made of resin material. This makes composites very suitable for front teeth, more so because of their cosmetic advantage. However, they are not sturdy enough for usage in back teeth. They can also be expensive for all patients to afford. The price of composites can be twice that of silver fillings.
- Porcelain fillings – they feature porcelain or ceramic material. They can as well be matched to the natural color of your teeth, giving them a cosmetic advantage. Other than that, they are sturdier and more stain-resistant than composites. Better yet, they last longer than composites, which is a great advantage. The greatest disadvantage, however, is that they can be very costly, closely rivaling the cost of gold dental fillings.
Do You Need Dental Fillings?
Fillings are an important part of dentistry. The goal of most dental procedures is to safeguard the natural tooth, all while maintaining excellent dental health. Sometimes, this means having a dental filling to cover your tooth. The procedure involves removing the damaged part of your tooth, then filling it up with the preferred dental filling.
The question of whether or not you need dental fillings depends on you. A dentist will recommend it as an alternative to save your tooth. However, there is a different alternative that involves removing your tooth. If you have a chance to save your tooth, there is no reason to have it extracted. This is the role of dental fillings. It offers you an opportunity to preserve your natural teeth for as long as possible. Still, how you care for your teeth after your procedure makes all the difference.