Dental Fillings

Here you will find information about Dental fillings, types of fillings use by your dentist and more.

Did You Know About the Widespread Issue of Dental Caries? Were you aware that over 530 million children globally are affected by dental caries, making it the most common disease among both children and adults? This report from the World Health Organization (WHO) prompts us to contemplate dental care seriously. Timely visits to our dentist play a crucial role in preventing these carious lesions from progressing to a point where tooth loss becomes inevitable.

Frequently, a “dental healing” is required due to issues like caries or occasional trauma, which can result in partial tooth loss. Dental fillings step in to replace the lost structure, restoring both functionality and aesthetics to the affected teeth. Amalgam has traditionally been the favored choice for dental fillings over the years. However, advancements in dental materials have brought forth a range of options, allowing selection based on treatment needs and the patient’s preferences.

Understanding Dental Fillings:

Dental fillings in Ventura are used to replace the portion of a tooth that has been affected by dental caries or trauma. Their main objective is to restore the tooth’s function, allowing for proper chewing. Simultaneously, these fillings are crafted to closely resemble the natural color and shape of the tooth.

¿WHAT TYPES OF FILLINGS CAN WE FIND?

Nowadays we can find different types of dental fillings among them we have:

Diving into Dental Amalgams: Dental amalgams, also recognized as “silver-colored fillings,” are a combination of several metals, primarily mercury, silver, tin, and copper. One of its notable advantages is its toughness and long-lasting nature, coupled with being cost-effective. However, it’s important to note that due to the metallic composition, these fillings give the tooth a gray or black appearance, affecting its aesthetic appeal.

Exploring Gold Fillings: Gold fillings rank as one of the more expensive dental filling choices in Ventura. Comprising gold alloy and other metals, they display heightened compatibility with gum and tooth tissues. Over the years, they have been a favored option due to their remarkable durability. However, similar to amalgam, their aesthetics are compromised due to the color, affecting the overall dental restoration appearance.

Table with dental composite resins stand near instrument tray

Understanding Composite Resins: Composite resins, also called composites, have become the most widely used material in recent times. This is because they closely resemble the color of the natural tooth, offering a more authentic appearance compared to amalgams. Additionally, they exhibit good hardness and resistance.

Exploring Porcelain Dental Fillings: Porcelain dental fillings, akin to gold fillings, fall into the higher cost bracket. Despite this, their notable benefits lie in their remarkable likeness to the natural appearance of a tooth and their enduring durability within the oral environment.

Dentist using dental spatula for creating dental filling

Exploring Glass Ionomer Fillings: Glass ionomer fillings are primarily used in children, specifically for their milk teeth, due to their moderate resistance. An advantage of these fillings is the inclusion of fluoride in their components, aiding in shielding teeth from carious lesions.

WHAT TYPES OF FILLINGS CAN WE FIND?

Nowadays we can find different types of dental fillings among them we have:

Dental amalgams: The amalgams or also known as “Silver colored fillings” result from the combination of different metals being the main ones mercury, silver, tin and copper. Among the advantages of this material is its hardness and durability as well as the cost, but they have the disadvantage that the color they present by their metals do not return the aesthetics to the tooth. Giving it a gray or black appearance.

Gold Fillings: They are one of the most expensive dental fillings because they have gold alloy and other metals but more compatible with tissues such as gum and tooth, is a material that has been used for many years ago because it has great durability, one of its disadvantages like the amalgam is the color they have because it decreases the aesthetics of the dental restoration.

Composite Resins: Also known as Composites, it is the most used material nowadays due to its similarity with the color of the tooth, compared to amalgams, giving the tooth a natural appearance, they also present good hardness and resistance.

Porcelain Dental Filling: This type of filling as well as gold fillings are expensive, but its benefits are its great similarity to the appearance of the tooth and its durability in the mouth.

Glass Ionomer Fillings: Its exclusive use is in children in milk teeth because its resistance is not very good, one of its advantages is that within its components has fluoride which helps protect teeth against carious lesions.

ARE DENTAL AMALGAMS HARMFUL?

Exploring Safety and Usage of Dental Amalgams: In response to concerns regarding the potential health hazards of dental amalgams, particularly due to mercury content, numerous research studies published in the Journal of the American Medical Association have concluded that dental amalgams are safe. The American Dental Association (ADA) has reaffirmed their safety for use. However, the ADA also emphasizes the need to restrict their usage due to environmental pollution caused by amalgam decomposition.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends minimizing the use of dental amalgam whenever possible. Specifically, they advise against placing this type of dental filling in children under 6 years old, pregnant women, or those planning pregnancy, as well as individuals with neurological issues. If an amalgam filling is in good condition, the FDA suggests avoiding removal unless deemed necessary.

¿HOW CAN I TAKE CARE OF MY DENTAL FILLINGS?

Oral Care Based on Material and Routine: Oral care requirements often vary based on the filling material used, but the foundational practices encompass:

Implement an effective brushing technique, brushing a minimum of three times daily, with a focus on nighttime brushing.
Utilize fluoride toothpaste to safeguard teeth against cavities.
Incorporate dental flossing and mouthwash into your routine with each brushing.
Schedule biannual dental check-ups, and if any alterations in your dental filling are detected, a visit to the dentist becomes imperative.