What You Need to Know about Dental Fillings

When we talk about dental fillings, we refer to two main categories which are the

traditional amalgam fillings and the composite resin fillings. The first kind is the mercury or

silver filling while the second type is the colored filling and also known as white filling.

If you are going to check around the different dental clinics, you will realize that most of

them prefer to have composite resin fillings rather than the amalgam. Do you remember that in

the past after you had an amalgam filling, you have to come back for another procedure for

removing the amalgam? That is no longer necessary with the new composite resin filling. When

amalgam filling is used, this has mercury in its composition which can be harmful to the body.

This is why the mercury has to be taken out with the use of rubber dam and high power suction.

The suction is used to prevent mercury from getting into the body.

Another good reason why the composite resin filling is preferred is that it is chemically

bonded with the natural teeth and would not entail numbing of teeth while you undergo the

process. Right after the dentist removes the tooth decay, the material used as filling will then be

placed on the tooth. It is further hardened with the use of curing light. The procedure required for

dental filling is simple and painless and you can expect little to no sensitivity at all. This also

means that you need not visit the dental clinic a couple of times but just one time. However if

you are required to have multiple fillings, then you might have to visit the clinic more than once.

There are known advantages to undergoing dental fillings. Given that the composite resin

filling is also called white filling, you would have the idea that it looks exactly like natural teeth

which is its greatest advantage. Another advantage it has is that with dental fillings you can

restore the original strength of the teeth by 85 to 90 percent. It also doesn’t have fixed locations

on where it can be used. It is okay to use it at the rear or front teeth since they do not affect how

your gums look. You might experience a little sensitivity after the dental filling procedure is

done but it will be gone in two to three weeks.

How let’s talk about the cost involved in dental fillings. The cost depends on the extent of

tooth decay in terms of size and depth. This will be assessed right before the procedure since

your dentist will check your teeth, inform you of the extent of dental filling needed, and you will

What You Need to Know about Dental Fillings

also be informed about the amount of cavities found in the teeth. It is also a must that you

undergo regular checkup every 6 months since the dental filling may get discolored over time or

they might also be cavities that accumulate by then.

There is no special care or maintenance needed for dental fillings. The main key here is

to practice good dental hygiene.

Source: https://sydneycbddentistry.wordpress.com/2016/03/02/what-you-need-to-know-about-

dental-fillings/