Treat Cavities and Tooth Decay Through Dental Fillings

Dental fillings are a type of oral treatment used to restore and repair decayed and damaged teeth. During this process, the dentists remove cavities or decayed tooth tissues and fill the left spaces or gaps with dental fillings. Some common tooth-filling materials are porcelain, composite resins, and silver amalgams.

However, composite resins are the most preferred filling material because they are tooth colored and look just like natural teeth. Dentists treat decayed tooth tissues through composite resin fillings without affecting dental aesthetics.

People with holes in their teeth or affected soft tissues (pulp) need immediate dental fillings. This treatment prevents the further spread of decay and also protects the teeth from future damage. Dental fillings simply restore or repair the normal functioning of teeth and eliminate the need for tooth extractions.

The time required during the dental filling process mainly depends on the extent of tooth cavities. If a cavity is minor, the procedure can be completed in an hour and require a single dental appointment. If the cavity has affected various teeth and reached the pulp, then you might need multiple appointments to complete treatment.

During the dental fillings procedure, the dentist applies a numbing agent to your teeth; after that, he removes the infected tissue by utilising a dental drill. Afterward, the dentist fills the left spaces or gaps with different filling materials. 

After the dental fillings, patients might feel slight sensitivity while having hot and cold items for some time. During this period you should avoid having such foods. After a few days, these side effects become negligible and subside on their own.

There are multiple benefits of dental fillings:

Dental fillings restore and repair cracked, damaged, and fractured teeth and improve their functionality by providing them the required support. Moreover, the tooth fillings do not exert any harmful effects on the natural health of our teeth.

Dental fillings can protect the teeth from future damage as fillings treat the decayed tooth in the initial stages and eliminate the further spread of infection. In the beginning, the tooth holes feel very minute and negligible, but they can trap food particles and debris and eventually lead to tooth decay.

Through dental fillings, the colour of your teeth can be restored or improved. When composite resins are applied to badly stained and discoloured teeth, it restores their appearance by improving their colour. A bright and white smile looks beautiful, and it attracts people’s attention. That’s why tooth-colored fillings are in high demand.

Our teeth become cracked and broken due to injuries or decay, which weakens their function. This ultimately affects our chewing abilities. The dental fillings strengthen the weekend and fractured teeth and restore their functions.

As dental fillings can treat decayed and infected teeth and restore their functionality, they can also eliminate the need for tooth extraction. Tooth extraction is the least preferred dental treatment and becomes essential when the tooth is severely decayed to protect the surrounding teeth and stop infection transmission. But tooth extraction becomes unnecessary if the infected tooth is treated through dental fillings in the early stages.

Dental fillings have long-lasting results and can outlast various other dental procedures. If taken good care of, dental fillings can last more than ten years. However, this duration varies based on various factors like tooth grinding and oral hygiene.

Some tooth fillings, such as composite resin fillings, are resistant to temperature change and do not expand and contract to temperature extremes. This property of tooth fillings makes them durable and strong.

Fillings can get damaged due to an injury or constant grinding of teeth but are repaired very easily. You can repair the tooth fillings by booking an appointment with the dentist.

Most tooth fillings, such as white or composite fillings, do not comprise any toxic material in their composition and are completely biocompatible. They do not cause any side effects or allergic reactions in your mouth.

Some tooth fillings, specifically composite fillings, can reduce tooth sensitivity by providing insulation and resistance against hot and cold foods. But after getting the dental fillings, patients might feel mild discomfort or sensitivity, but these are temporary side effects and are recovered within a few days.

Dentists provide their clients with different types of tooth fillings depending on their oral conditions and preferences.

Silver amalgams are a mixture of silver, copper, tin, and zinc. Silver fillings are durable and long-lasting and can last for more than 12 years. But people mostly prefer these fillings in the molars or posterior teeth where they are not visible.

Gold fillings are long-lasting and costly. However, they can affect dental aesthetics and are usually applied to back teeth where they are not apparent. Gold fillings can last more than 15 years with good oral hygiene. Moreover, gold fillings are durable and can withstand strong chewing forces.

The composite resin fillings are the most preferred and widely used dental fillings. The composite fillings are tooth-colored, blend with your teeth, and are undetectable. Apart from dental services, teeth fillings are also used in cosmetic dentistry because they are aesthetically pleasing. Although composite fillings are less durable than silver or gold fillings, they are still in high demand.

Ceramic fillings also match the natural colour of your tooth and are made with porcelain material. The ceramic fillings are customizable and are prepared according to the patient’s teeth colour and are nearly undetectable. Unlike composite resins, ceramic fillings are durable and can last more than 15 years.