Fillings

Stop Tooth Decay In Its Tracks

Without A Filling It Will Only Get Worse

A dental filling is a procedure that repairs missing tooth structure that has been caused by a cavity. Today, many dentists use non-mercury fillings such as composite resin to fix teeth that have been damaged by trauma or decay. They have helped countless patients keep their teeth that would otherwise be lost.

Different Types of Filling Materials

In the past, silver amalgam fillings were essentially your only choice for a filling material. And while these fillings did their intended job, they were often visible to others. Today, composite resin is most commonly used because it’s designed to match your natural teeth.

There are several types of filling materials in addition to silver amalgam and composite resin.

• Glass ionomer fillings, which are ideal for smaller cavities, like those typically found on the front teeth.
• Resin ionomer fillings are most often used for baby and non-chewing teeth and can contain fluoride to help prevent future decay.
• Ceramic fillings, which are glass-like fillings that are excellent at resisting decay. Although they aren’t ideal for molars due to the fact that they are more susceptible to cracks, they accurately mimic your natural teeth. 

The type of material your dentist uses will depend on the severity and location of the cavity. For instance, composite resin would be better for a molar than the ceramic type, and an ionomer filling would be better for front teeth than either of the other options.

Without a Filling, Your Cavity Will Only Worsen

Tooth decay usually starts out very small but will continue to worsen over time, so you should never ignore a cavity. It can spread to surround your entire tooth, which can then require extraction.

Because there are no nerves in your tooth enamel, it’s often challenging to know if you have a cavity. And early tooth decay doesn’t produce many symptoms, which is why regular visits to the dentist are so important. Your dentist can identify a cavity before it barely has a chance to develop.

In fact, many people don’t realize they have a cavity until it’s gotten to the point that the nerves of the tooth get involved and they experience tooth sensitivity, a severe toothache, or a dental abscess, which can become life-threatening if left untreated.

Because every person is different, it’s vital to get your fillings checked regularly to ensure they’re still in place and protecting your smile! If you need to have a cavity filled, talk with your dentist about the different types of filling materials to find out which one is right for you.

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