I want a filling – what sorts are there?
There are a variety 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 not less than 150 years. It’s economical to make use of and it’s not uncommon for an amalgam filling to final 15 to twenty years.
This type of filling is normally used on the again ‘chewing’ tooth. Earlier than the filling might be positioned, the dentist should put together the world 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 will not be 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 protection of dental amalgam has been carried out for over 100 years. To date, 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 when you are pregnant or breastfeeding. When you’ve got any youngsters underneath 15 years outdated, or who’ve child tooth that want filling, they’re unable to have amalgam fillings both. speak to your dentist about having a unique kind of filling in case you are uncertain.
What are composite fillings?
Composite fillings are sturdy, however is probably not 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 world and a lightweight shone onto it to set it. The dentist will select a shade to match your individual tooth, though over time staining can occur.
What are glass ionomer fillings?
Glass ionomer fillings type a chemical hyperlink with the tooth. They could additionally launch fluoride, which helps to forestall additional tooth decay. Any such filling is pretty weak. Due to this, they’re normally solely used on child tooth and ‘non-biting’ surfaces akin to across the ‘necks’ of the tooth. 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 inside 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 power.
One of many variations between gold and different filling supplies is that the gold filling is made in a laboratory. Your dental crew will normally 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 shall be positioned within the cavity. After the gold inlay or onlay has been made, your dentist will repair it in place with dental cement. Any such filling is costlier.
What are porcelain inlays?
Your dental crew 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 can want not less than two visits to your dentist. Porcelain might be laborious carrying and lengthy lasting. It can be colored to match your pure tooth. Once more, such a filling might be fairly costly.
The place can I get extra info?
Your dental crew will advise you on what sort of filling materials is suited to your scenario. Speak to them if you need a specific kind of filling materials akin to tooth-coloured fillings.
At all times ask for a remedy plan and a written estimate earlier than beginning any remedy.
