What are Dental Fillings ?
Dental fillings are single or combinations of metals, plastics, glass or other materials used to repair or restore teeth. One of the most popular uses of fillings is to “fill” an area of tooth that your dentist has removed due to decay – “a cavity.” Fillings are also used to repair cracked or broken teeth and teeth that have been worn down from misuse (such as from nail-biting or tooth grinding).
GLASS FILLINGS
If you are looking for a suitable tooth filling for your child then this may be the best option available. Glass ionomer filling is constituted by mixing both the glass material and acrylic together. It is suggested to be used on children’s teeth that are still in the formation process. Also, it does not stay much longer so when the real teeth are developed this will get worn off.
COMPOSITE FILLINGS
After the first variant, these are the second most popular and used for the teeth gap filling process. Composite fillings are made up of mixing plastic along with the resin. One good thing with this kind of filling is that it is placed inside the hole while it is still soft and fragile and later turned hard by the use of a special light.
What Materials are Dental Fillings Made From?
Dental filling materials include:
1.) Gold.
2.) Porcelain.
3.) Silver amalgam (contains mercury mixed with silver, tin, zinc, and copper).
4.) Tooth-colored, plastic and glass materials called composite resin fillings.
The location and extent of the decay, cost of filling material, your insurance coverage and your dentist’s recommendation help determine the type of filling that will best address your needs.
What are Indirect Fillings?
Indirect fillings are similar to composite or tooth-colored fillings except that they are made in a dental laboratory and require two visits before being placed. Indirect fillings are considered when you don’t have enough tooth structure remains to support a filling, but your tooth is not so severely damaged that it needs a crown.
During the first visit, decay or an old filling is removed. An impression is taken to record the shape of the tooth being repaired and the teeth around it. The impression is sent to a dental laboratory that makes the indirect filling. A temporary filling (described below) is placed to protect the tooth while your restoration is being made. During the second visit, the temporary filling is removed, and the dentist checks the fit of the indirect restoration. If the fit is acceptable, it will be permanently cemented into place.
- There are two types of indirect fillings – inlays and onlays.
- Inlays are similar to fillings but the entire work lies within the cusps (bumps) on the chewing surface of the tooth.
- Onlays are more extensive than inlays, covering one or more cusps. Onlays are sometimes called partial crowns.
Inlays and onlays are more durable and last much longer than traditional fillings – up to 30 years. They can be made of tooth-colored composite resin, porcelain or gold. Inlays and onlays weaken the tooth structure, but do so to a much lower extent than traditional fillings.
Another type of inlay and onlay – direct inlays and onlays – follow the same processes and procedures as the indirect, the difference is that direct inlays and onlays are made in the dental office and can be placed in one visit. The type of inlay or onlay used depends on how much sound tooth structure remains and cosmetic concerns.
