Types of Dental Fillings in General Dentistry 

Types of Dental Fillings in General Dentistry 

May 01, 2021

In dentistry, choosing the right treatment for you is the responsibility of a dentist near Richmond, TX. However, once your dentist has prescribed a particular treatment, choosing the kind of appliance you want in your mouth should be your decision. Depending on the kind of treatment you are receiving, multiple oral devices can be used.

When it comes to treating dental decay, for example, dental fillings are employed in restorative dentistry. Since dental fillings in Richmond, TX, vary in types, you can decide the kind of filling you want for your teeth.

What Are Dental Fillings?

They are a range of dental materials used to fill damaged teeth to restore their structures. Dental fillings are particularly employed to treat dental decay and fill oral cavities for both children and adults. However, fillings can also be used to fill cracked and broken teeth.

The process of applying dental fillings near you on damaged teeth involves some of the following steps:

  • Numbing – when a tooth is decayed, you will experience sensitivity and sometimes have a toothache. For such, your dentist will need to numb your mouth before beginning with the filling process.
  • Cleaning – dental cleaning is performed by a dentist or dental hygienist to get rid of any plaque and tartar on your teeth. This process will also remove loose food debris on your affected tooth, as well as rid your tooth of any infection.
  • Shaping and trimming – it involves removing the part of your tooth that is damaged by the infection. This will help retain only the healthy part of your tooth and create room for the dental filling to be applied.
  • Filling – the dental filling of choice is applied to your tooth. It is made to adhere using special dental cement that is cured using lasers or UV light.

Types of Dental Fillings to Consider

As dental decay continues to threaten the health of many people’s teeth, ensure you do not allow the infection to fully sabotage the health of your oral cavity. Once your dentist recommends dental fillings for your treatment, you have the following options to choose from:

  • Gold fillings – they feature gold as the main component. Gold dental fillings in 77469 are loved by patients who value luxury. One of the main benefits of gold fillings is that they are non-corrosive. Not only that, but the material makes the fillings strong, giving them durability of up to 15 years or more. However, because of the material used to make them, the gold dental fillings are very expensive.
  • Silver fillings – they are also called amalgams. The amalgams are the most common dental fillings near Richmond, TX. They feature an alloy of metals, with silver being the main component. The other metals included in the alloy are copper, zinc, and mercury. They are relatively inexpensive, especially compared to gold dental fillings. The fillings are also strong and reliable, serving you for up to 10 years or more, with proper care. However, some patients may hesitate from getting these fillings because they are not aesthetically appealing, given the color of silver alloys. Besides, there are a few concerns over the long-term biocompatibility of the material because of the presence of mercury in dental fillings.
  • Composite fillings – they are fashioned from hardening composite material over the damaged teeth. The composite resin can be color-matched to the color of your natural teeth, which is why many people opt for composite fillings. However, the dental bonding process requires high maintenance, with composites fillings not lasting as long as other dental fillings. They also tend to be a lot more expensive than amalgams, closely comparing to the cost of gold fillings.
  • Ceramic fillings – they are alternatives to composite fillings. They feature porcelain material, that is also tooth-colored, therefore providing aesthetic benefits for your teeth. They are sturdier and stronger than composite fillings, which means that they are also more durable thereof.
  • Glass ionomer – they are also called acrylic dental fillings and are perfectly suited for children. They are clear because of the glass-like material used to make them. They are also specially made to release fluoride gradually on teeth, which is an element that helps strengthen teeth and fight against dental cavities.

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