I want a filling – what sorts are there?
There are a selection of various fillings, together with:
What are amalgam fillings?
Amalgam fillings are silver colored. They’re made by combining mercury and a silver alloy (50% mercury, 35% silver, and 15% tin, copper and different metals). Amalgam is lengthy lasting and laborious carrying and has been utilized in fillings for at the very least 150 years. It’s economical to make use of and it isn’t uncommon for an amalgam filling to final 15 to twenty years.
This sort of filling is often used on the again ‘chewing’ enamel. Earlier than the filling may be positioned, the dentist should put together the realm by eradicating all of the decay and shaping the cavity to carry the filling in place. If the tooth is badly damaged, your dentist may have to put a small chrome steel pin to assist safe the filling.
Are there any dangers from amalgam fillings?
The mercury in dental amalgam isn’t toxic as soon as it’s mixed with the opposite supplies within the filling. Its chemical nature modifications in order that it’s innocent.
Analysis into the security of dental amalgam has been carried out for over 100 years. Up to now, no respected ‘managed’ research have discovered a connection between amalgam fillings and any medical downside.
Nonetheless, you won’t be able to have any new amalgam fillings if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. You probably have any kids beneath 15 years previous, or who’ve child enamel that want filling, they’re unable to have amalgam fillings both. speak to your dentist about having a unique kind of filling if you’re not sure.
What are composite fillings?
Composite fillings are robust, however might not be as laborious carrying as amalgam fillings. Composite fillings are tooth colored and are made out of powdered glass quartz, silica or different ceramic particles added to a resin base. After the tooth is ready, the filling is bonded onto the realm and a lightweight shone onto it to set it. The dentist will select a shade to match your personal enamel, though over time staining can occur.
What are glass ionomer fillings?
Glass ionomer fillings kind a chemical hyperlink with the tooth. They could additionally launch fluoride, which helps to forestall additional tooth decay. Such a filling is pretty weak. Due to this, they’re often solely used on child enamel and ‘non-biting’ surfaces resembling across the ‘necks’ of the enamel. Little preparation is required because the filling bonds on to the tooth.
What are gold inlays and onlays?
These can be utilized in most areas of the mouth. An inlay is small and positioned throughout the biting floor of the tooth. An onlay can cowl a bigger space of the tooth. Gold is probably the most long-lasting and hard-wearing filling materials and can final for a few years. A bonus of gold is that it doesn’t tarnish and has nice energy.
One of many variations between gold and different filling supplies is that the gold filling is made in a laboratory. Your dental staff will often take an impression of the ready cavity and ship it to the laboratory for the technician to make the inlay or onlay. Within the meantime, a brief filling might be positioned within the cavity. After the gold inlay or onlay has been made, your dentist will repair it in place with dental cement. Such a filling is dearer.
What are porcelain inlays?
Your dental staff can now use digital know-how (referred to as CADCAM) to design and put together completely fitted porcelain inlays in only one or two visits. Porcelain inlays can be made in a laboratory however this may want at the very least two visits to your dentist. Porcelain may be laborious carrying and lengthy lasting. It can be colored to match your pure tooth. Once more, one of these filling may be fairly costly.
The place can I get extra data?
Your dental staff will advise you on what sort of filling materials is suited to your state of affairs. Discuss to them if you need a selected kind of filling materials resembling tooth-coloured fillings.
All the time ask for a remedy plan and a written estimate earlier than beginning any remedy.
