Dental Filling Dental fillings are placed in your tooth cavity after we remove decayed material. This is necessary to protect the inside of your tooth from new bacteria formation. An exposed tooth core could also be quite painful. We have a few different options for fillings at Wy'East Dental, and we work on both direct and indirect fillings. We can provide more information on the various materials used and the procedure at your consultation.Cavity TreatmentBefore we can fill a cavity, we must remove the decayed tooth material. The first step is providing a local anesthetic so that you do not feel anything during the procedure. After your gum has been numbed, we can use a drill or other dental tool to cut out the decayed and infected material. For more severe infections, we may also need to prescribe a round of antibiotics to kill off any remaining bacteria. After we clear the decayed material, we will clean and sanitize the area. We can then fill the cavity with the selected restoration material. Direct FillingsDirect fillings are material provided on the same day as your cavity treatment. There are three main types of direct fillings available. These include composite resin, silver amalgam, and glass ionomer. Composite resin is common in many different restoration procedures since it is so versatile. It also matches the color of your natural tooth. However, the composite resin is not very durable compared to other options. It generally lasts about five years before needing a repair. Silver amalgam is preferred for teeth that are used to chew food since it is stronger than composite resin and glass ionomer. This is not an as aesthetically pleasing option, given its silver color, but this is typically used for your back teeth. Silver amalgam should last about 10 to 15 years before needing repair. Glass ionomer typically does not last as long as composite resin or silver amalgam. However, it has the advantage of looking natural and releasing fluoride. This mineral is critical for preventing future infections, and many people do not get enough of it in their typical diet. We can also provide resin-modified glass ionomer, though this is usually reserved for younger patients. It is not as versatile, but it is tooth-colored and a bit stronger than conventional glass ionomers. Indirect FillingsIndirect fillings, also called inlays or onlays, are fillings made in a dental lab. These are needed when the cavity is larger than normal, but not large enough to require extraction. Options for indirect fillings include porcelain and gold. Porcelain is the more aesthetically pleasing option, while gold is the more durable option. Porcelain is typically used for front teeth, and gold is used for the back teeth. Each requires us to take a dental impression after treating the cavity. Our lab produces a filling based on the shape and size of your cavity. We can cement the indirect filling into the cavity once we get it back from our lab, which could take a week or two. We will give you a temporary restoration while you wait for the indirect filling to be completed. For additional information on fillings, call Wy'East Dental at (503) 919-2802. |
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