In addition to restoring your smile and teeth's functions, dental fillings can help protect the tooth from further damage, which could necessitate costly procedures or even tooth removal. Maintaining dental and oral health is crucial because any issue with your mouth could easily affect your entire body's health.
Hence, you should consult with a dentist as soon as possible if you or your loved ones have any oral or dental issues, especially those that require filling. Whether your dentist has scheduled you for a dental filling procedure or you are just curious about what it entails, you have come to the right place.
At SoCal Dental of Valencia, we have assisted several patients like you in alleviating their discomfort and pain using dental fillings, and we would be glad to help you, too.
A Look at What Dental Fillings Are and the Various Types You Should Know
Dental fillings are prevalent, and most people will require them at some point in their lifetime. Dental fillings are typically the materials (composite or amalgam) that the dentist will use to repair your severely damaged or decayed teeth. These modern dental fillings can seamlessly bond with your teeth securely to improve their structure.
However, it is worth noting that the tooth you restored using a dental filling cannot be as healthy and untouched. If you are an excellent candidate for a dental filling procedure, your dentist will let you know the options available and one suitable for your unique needs and situation. Here is an overview of common types of dental fillings you ought to know:
Composite Fillings
Composite fillings could be a great choice if you need a dental filling that seamlessly blends with your real teeth. Also known as tooth-colored fillings, composite fillings are common for many people, especially those who do not want the dental restoration to appear conspicuous.
These composite fillings are typically made of plastic or glass and can provide excellent durability and resistance to future damage. One of the notable benefits of these types of dental fillings is their aesthetics. Once installed, these fillings can seamlessly match your tooth's shape, size, and appearance for a natural-looking smile that you deserve.
Another great benefit of composite fillings is their versatile nature. Unlike other dental fillings, your dentist can conservatively apply composite fillings on the affected tooth, requiring less tooth preparation. That means the dentist will only remove less structure of your healthy teeth, making it a less invasive and more conservative treatment option for your damaged tooth.
Once correctly installed, composite fillings can also bond directly with your tooth structure, which adds extra support and strength to the affected tooth. However, like your natural teeth, composite fillings are susceptible to discoloration and staining when exposed to coffee, tea, red wine, and other staining foods.
Ceramic Fillings
Also known as porcelain fillings, they have become increasingly popular over the past years due to their aesthetic appearance and strength. Whether ceramic or porcelain-made, these dental fillings will offer a long-lasting and natural-looking solution to your dental issue.
Like composite fillings, ceramic dental fillings resemble the appearance of your tooth enamel, giving you a natural-looking smile. Therefore, ceramic fillings would be an excellent remedy if you are looking for a non-conspicuous solution for your severely damaged tooth.
In addition to being aesthetically pleasing, ceramic fillings are also resistant to daily wear and tear caused by chewing, making them a durable treatment option for damaged teeth. Generally speaking, you can expect visual appeal and durability with these dental fillings.
Unlike composite dental fillings, ceramic fillings are also stain-resistant, meaning they cannot discolor or lose their aesthetic appearance when you consume staining foods, like coffee. However, even though the ceramic fillings are stain-resistant, you should limit your intake of stain-causing foods to protect the aesthetic appearance of your natural teeth.
It is worth noting that ceramic fillings could cause you to schedule multiple appointments with your dentist because he/she or his/her lab technician could require some time to make your custom ceramic filling. Also, ceramic fillings are more expensive than other types of dental fillings.
Gold Fillings
While they are not popular like other options, gold fillings are a durable tooth restoration option. If the affected tooth usually experiences significant pressure when chewing, gold fillings would be an excellent dental filling material because they are corrosion and wear-resistant.
With a durability lifespan of many decades, you can expect your gold fillings to offer you the long-lasting and durable solution you are looking for to improve your smile appearance and restore your teeth's functions. Created in a laboratory exclusively for you, gold fillings will fit your teeth with utmost precision, lessening any possibility of damage or decay.
However, the only drawback of this alternative is that gold fillings are significantly costlier than other alternative materials used to make dental fillings. Also, if you are looking for a dental restoration that will blend seamlessly with your natural teeth, gold fillings are not an excellent alternative because they are easily noticeable.
Amalgam Fillings
Amalgam fillings are another common type of dental filling you would want to consider if you want to restore your severely damaged tooth. Your dentist or his/her lab technician will make your amalgam filling by blending different metals, including copper, mercury, tin, and silver, which are long-lasting and durable.
After proper installation, amalgam filling can endure the pressure exerted when chewing and remain durable for several years. Since they are also resistant to staining and wear and tear, this option would be ideal if the affected teeth are molars and premolars.
Also, unlike gold and ceramic dental fillings, amalgam fillings are cost-friendly, making them an excellent option if you do not have any insurance coverage. However, like gold fillings, they are also conspicuous, meaning they are not an excellent choice if you want a natural-looking smile appearance.
Glass Ionomer Fillings
Uniqueness and versatility make glass ionomer fillings a worthwhile tooth restoration option if you have a severely damaged tooth. To make these types of dental fillings, the dentist will blend glass powders and acrylic powders, making them a flexible and durable material for repairing a severely decayed or damaged tooth.
Another notable advantage of these fillings is that they release fluoride, which helps strengthen your teeth, keeping cavities at bay. If your teeth are susceptible to decay and cavities, your dentist will likely recommend this glass ionomer as the ideal material to repair your issue. However, it is worth noting that this dental restoration option is not as durable as other alternative materials like gold and amalgam.
If the affected tooth usually experiences significant pressure from chewing, glass ionomer fillings are not the ideal solution for your problem.
What to Consider When Looking for an Ideal Dental Filling Material
Several factors will come into play when choosing an ideal dental filling material for your unique dental problem. Some of the factors to consider include the following:
- The location of the affected tooth — If the affected tooth endures significant chewing forces, like the molar, durable materials like gold and amalgam are the best choice for the problem
- Your smile aesthetics — If you have decayed or damaged front teeth and want to boost their appearance, ceramic or composite fillings would be an excellent choice for you
- Your budget — Ultimately, your budget will play a critical role in choosing dental filling material for your unique dental health. Your dentist will guide you on various types of dental fillings to allow you to make a wise decision on the ideal type for your unique problem. However, as mentioned above, gold fillings are the most expensive dental restoration materials
- Your personal health — If you are allergic to certain metals, you should let your dentist know because certain patients are allergic to some metals used to make amalgam dental fillings
- Your dentist's recommendation — Your dentist's recommendation should help you make a wise decision on the ideal type of filling to use on your damaged or decayed tooth to achieve the desired results
Common Signs That You Are an Excellent Candidate for the Dental Filling Procedure
A dentist could recommend a dental filling procedure as part of various treatment plans. Routine dental appointments with your dentist will help him/her determine whether you have any dental issues, including cavities, that require immediate treatment. Some of the prevalent reasons why most people require dental fillings include the following:
You Have Tooth Decay and Cavities
Notably, common dental issues that will likely necessitate a dental filling procedure include tooth decay and cavities. A dental cavity is the hole or pit that forms on the surface of your teeth when acidic excretions from harmful bacteria erode your enamel. When left unchecked or untreated, cavities can grow wider and deeper, leading to infection in the inner part of your tooth and possible tooth loss.
Some of the common causes of tooth decay and cavities include:
- Drinking or eating sugary foods and drinks
- Attack by harmful bacteria in your mouth
- Poor oral and dental hygiene
- Worth dental devices and fillings
While in most cases they do not cause discomfort, you may experience the following symptoms if you have cavities:
- Tooth sensitivity
- Toothache
- Sharp or mild pain when eating sugary foods
- White, black, or brown staining on the surface of your tooth
- Pain when biting down
Since you are less likely to notice when a cavity forms, you should schedule regular appointments with your dentist for oral and dental examinations. During these routine check-ups, your dentist can detect signs of cavities and offer appropriate treatment.
You Have a Cracked or Chipped Tooth
While your tooth enamel is heavily mineralized and strong, it has limits. When exposed to extreme impact or force, the enamel can crack. For example, that can happen during a sports activity, an accident, or when chewing hard foods. Based on the severity of the crack, your dentist could recommend a filling as part of the treatment plan.
If the crack or damage to your tooth is serious, a dental crown or implant could be necessary to repair the issue and restore your teeth's functions.
You Have a Clenching or Grinding Issue
Your tooth enamel could suffer wear and tear due to regular teeth grinding or clenching, especially when you are asleep or engaging in rigorous activities. Rare teeth grinding can have no ill effect on your teeth enamel.
However, if you have an underlying condition known as bruxism, where you grind your teeth often, your enamel is worn off. A throbbing headache or sore jaw in the morning is one sign of bruxism. Aside from repairing the damaged area of your teeth using dental fillings, your dentist can also suggest using a custom-made mouth guard while sleeping if you have bruxism.
Your Teeth Feel Out of Balance Pressure When Chewing
Your enamel can wear down if pressure from chewing is not equally distributed to your teeth, especially your molars. That is usually due to overusing a particular side of the jaw to chew food due to discomfort or pain from a missing or injured tooth on the other side of your mouth.
If the damage to your tooth is due to uneven pressure on food while chewing, your dentist will be able to fix the damage through dental fillings and address the root cause of the issue. In most cases, the cause of the issue is misalignment of teeth, which your dentist may correct or suggest that an orthodontist correct using orthodontic options like braces.
Your Tooth Enamel Has Experienced Normal Wear
Unluckily, even with excellent oral and dental hygiene, your teeth could experience wear and tear over time, increasing your risk of cavities. Some factors, like genetics, may influence the strength of your tooth. enamel is. Frequent dental check-up appointments and proper flossing and brushing of your teeth can go a long way in helping prevent and reduce the natural wearing of your teeth enamel.
However, for already damaged tooth enamel, your dentist can help restore the tooth's integrity using dental fillings of your choice.
You Have Old or Worn-Out Dental Fillings
With excellent maintenance and care, dental fillings could last for several years. Nevertheless, even with proper maintenance, most dental fillings may require replacement in the future. As mentioned in the previous paragraph, the lifespan of a dental filling will depend on the specific material your dentist recommends for your unique issue.
However, a dental filling could generally last for up to fifteen years, depending on how you care for it.
What to Expect When Scheduled for a Dental Filling Procedure
If your dentist has determined you are an excellent candidate for a dental filling, you likely wonder what to expect during the process. While most people think dental procedures are painful, that is not the case, all thanks to anesthesia and modern technology, which help your dentist make precise treatments.
If you have dental anxiety, your dentist can use sedation options like nitrous oxide to make you unconscious during the treatment. While each dental treatment could vary based on your specific needs and the cause of your issue, a dental filling procedure will follow the steps explained below:
Examination and X-ray
You should inform your dentist during your initial appointment if you have a painful tooth. The dentist will discuss with you more details about the problem to learn the root cause of your dental pain. The dentist will also need to understand whether certain specific activities, including sugary beverages, cause or increase the pain in your teeth.
Then, the dentist will recommend an X-ray to help determine the extent of the decay or damage that you have on your tooth. If necessary, the dentist could also recommend an MRI scan, which gives him a detailed 3-D image of the affected tooth and the surrounding structures, including the jawbone.
Tooth and Gum Preparation
When the dentist identifies the root cause of your problem and prepares a treatment guideline, he/she will start preparing you for the procedure. To lessen any discomfort or pain you may feel during this procedure, the dentist will inject you with a local anesthesia in the targeted area. Doing that allows your tooth roots and the gums to stay during the treatment and reduces pain.
These anesthesia effects will wear off after some hours, but your dentist will have completed the procedure.
Removal of the Affected or Decayed Part of the Tooth
After the anesthesia takes effect, the dentist will start to shape the infected tooth for the filling. Your dentist will scrape off the decayed or damaged part of the infected tooth using dental instruments. Although you will feel vibrations within your mouth when your dentist scrapes off the damaged and decayed areas on your tooth, the anesthesia will disable any feelings of discomfort during the process.
After these destroyed and decayed portions are eliminated, the dentist will clean the regions by using an acidic gel to eliminate bacteria and debris left behind on the surface.
Dental Filling Material Placement
Once the dentist has prepped your tooth, he/she will fill it with the dental filling material of your preference. If you want a composite filling because of its aesthetics, the dentist will begin by mixing it well to make its color look like that of your natural teeth. To prevent unnecessary moisture from penetrating the prepped tooth, the dentist will isolate it from the adjacent and surrounding teeth.
He/she will then put dental adhesive to allow the filling material to adhere to your teeth for a solid bite. Afterward, he/she will put the composite bonding material on the adhesive and shape it to match the shape and size of your natural teeth. Once the filling has been shaped to resemble the shape and size of your teeth, the dentist will use a bonding light to harden and cure it.
Final Polishing and Adjustments
As the last part of the tooth filling process, the dentist will request that you perform a bite test to ensure the filled teeth fit your natural tooth pattern and alignment. If necessary, the dentist will remove any high spots that are felt upon closing your jaws with his/her dental tool.
Once the dentist is pleased with the outcome, he/she will perform final polishing to make your repaired tooth as aesthetically appealing and natural as possible.
Recovery Tips After a Dental Filling Procedure
Generally speaking, dental fillings heal quickly without complications. However, as the anesthesia fades away, you could experience slight sensitivity in your tooth for a day or two. When that happens, you could lessen the sensitivity by:
- Flossing and brushing around the restored tooth gently
- Avoiding acidic meals
- Avoid cold and hot foods
- Using the other side of your jaw to chew food
- Using desensitizing toothpaste to brush your teeth
- Taking the prescribed anti-inflammatory medication
Ensure you inform your dentist when your bite feels misaligned or when you experience pain or sensitivity that persists for more than two days after the treatment. The dentist can adjust the dental filling to ensure it aligns properly with your smile.
Scheduling regular dental appointments with your dentist is also critical after receiving your dental filling, regardless of whether you are experiencing sensitivity in the affected tooth. Regular dental appointments with your dentist allow him/her to monitor the condition of your dental filling and the rest of your teeth to keep cavities at bay.
While you should visit your dentist at least twice yearly, a broken filling could necessitate an emergency dental appointment. When left unchecked, a broken filling could create an excellent environment for the harmful cavity-causing bacteria to thrive.
Find a Seasoned Dentist Near Me
If you are experiencing pain or discomfort in your teeth, you should consult a dentist because that could be a sign of a severely damaged or decayed tooth. Fortunately, when detected early by the dentist, a dental filling could be your first step to restoring your dental and oral health.
Whether you have any inquiries or want your damaged or decayed tooth restored soon using a dental filling, our credible dentists at Socal Dental of Valencia are here to help. We invite you to call us at 661-554-4545 to discuss your unique dental health issue with our team of seasoned dentists.