If you have a minor cavity (also known as tooth decay) your dentist will likely recommend a restoration called a filling to repair it. Fillings can be made of a variety of materials, and work to “fill in” the space created when your dentist removes the damaged portion of tooth enamel.
Here’s how fillings work to protect your teeth from further damage and decay!
What Are Fillings Made Of?
Fillings can be made of a variety of materials, including amalgam metal, composite resin, and glass ionomer. In decades past, amalgam metal was a popular choice for most fillings, because it was durable and relatively affordable, however it was never designed to be discreet, and was quite obvious in the teeth when patients opened their mouths to speak, eat, or smile.
In the 1960s, composite resin fillings debuted, and because they were not metal, they could be closely matched to the patient’s natural tooth color. Today, these are the most common kinds of fillings used, due both to their durability and their natural appearance.
Glass ionomer fillings are tooth colored as well but may be mixed with fluoride to provide an additional layer of protection for the tooth. Unfortunately, however, this type of filling is not as durable as other kinds and thus is only recommended for teeth that do not provide a lot of bite force, such as front teeth.
What do Fillings Do?
Fillings act as a replacement for the enamel that was damaged by a dental cavity. After your dentist drills away the decayed portion of the tooth, he or she will then fill that hole with the material of choice. For composite resin, the restoration is hardened using a special light, fusing it with the tooth so that it appears completely whole and works just as it did before it developed the cavity. The filling also protects the tooth from further decay and keeps plaque and bacteria from getting inside the tooth.
Remember, if you have been prescribed a filling to treat a cavity, rest assured that your dentist is doing the best thing for your tooth. These durable, natural-looking restorations not only repair teeth affected by cavities and decay, but they prevent further decay from occurring.
About Dr. Rottman
Dr. Travis Rottman believes in treating his patients with dignity and respect, and for this reason you can rest assured he will never try to sell you on a treatment you don’t need. Dr. Rottman has proudly earned Fellowship status in the Academy of General Dentistry, a distinction achieved by only 6% of dentists. Dr. Rottman has taken numerous hours of continuing education, as well as advanced training in oral conscious sedation, laser dentistry, and same-day dental care.
If you have a cavity in need of repair, schedule a consultation at Sachse Family Dentistry for a filling or crown today by visiting our website or calling us at 972-848-0073.