Fillings

Do you spot dark patches on your teeth, especially near the intersections or on the grooves present on the molars and premolars? These are most likely tartar deposits filled with microbes. When they aren’t removed at regular intervals, they could erode the enamel and lead to the formation of cavities. Failing to get cavities treated and restored could lead to more severe symptoms, such as a sharp pain in the tooth, root canal infection, and the risk of getting the tooth extracted.

How can cavities be treated?

When you visit the dentist to get a cavity treated, they will conduct an initial examination by checking for tartar deposits and cavities on each face of the teeth. The tartar deposits are removed by scaling. This is done using an ultrasonic scaling appliance, which has a metal tip that vibrates at ultrasonic frequencies. The walls of the cavity will be scrubbed thoroughly, and the removed debris will be washed away using a jet of water.

What are fillings?

Fillings are dental restorations used to fill cavities and restore their contour, structure, and functionality. Earlier, fillings made from metals such as gold, silver, or amalgam were used to fill cavities. But, they posed a few drawbacks, due to which their use has been limited, if not completely stopped. In recent years, we have been aligned to using fillings made from dental-grade ceramic or composite resin. They offer superior properties and can be customized to match the exact appearance of the natural teeth.

How are fillings placed?

Once the dentist performs scaling and removes the decay from the tooth, the cavity will be scrubbed and disinfected. The filling material will be made by matching it with the color and texture of the enamel. An etching solution is applied to the cavity to roughen it so that the filling can adhere well to its surface. The filling will be placed in the cavity and contoured accordingly before hardening it using a suitable curing light. A bite test will reveal how well the filling fits and if it is causing any bite-related issues. It may be trimmed and polished to enhance its aesthetics.

What are the advantages of tooth-colored fillings?

• Tooth-colored fillings offer excellent strength and durability
• They can be customized according to the color, translucency, and contour required
• They offer excellent sealing properties
• They are quite simple and do not take a lot of time for the procedure to be completed
• They are long-lasting

Fillings are primarily used to restore decayed teeth. Earlier, fillings were made from materials such as gold, silver, and amalgam. Though they offered excellent durability and sealing properties, their usage has been discontinued in recent times due to displeasing aesthetics. As an alternative, white fillings made from composite resin or dental-grade ceramic are being used to fill cavities.

What are the advantages of white fillings?

• White fillings are made from ceramic or composite resin. They can be customized to mimic the color, texture, and contour of the natural teeth, thereby staying under disguise.
• White fillings offer excellent durability and strength. With regular oral activities such as biting and chewing food, their rate of wear is negligible.
• The cavity will be sealed to perfection using white fillings. Microbes will not be able to enter the cavity through any cracks, which completely prevents reinfection.
• The procedure involved in the placement of white fillings is quite simple and minimally invasive. It doesn’t cause pain or discomfort.
• White fillings do not produce toxic reactions with the natural tissues of the teeth. 

Please get in touch with us through online consultation or by calling us at (401)-732-5566, and we’ll guide you further.