What You Should Know About Dental Fillings

Dental fillings serve important functions, including providing support to a cracked tooth, repairing broken or worn out teeth, and treating a cavity. Your Waterloo dentist will examine your teeth during your check-up to see if you need any fillings and repair. This will help protect your teeth from further decay or structural problems that could cause you to lose them.

What are Dental Fillings?

A filling is a dental restorative material that is used to restore the function, integrity and/or structure of one or more teeth.

Types of Dental Fillings

Dental fillings are made of a variety of materials. Determining which one is right for you will depend on a number of factors, including the extent of damage, location of the tooth, whether you are allergic to certain materials, costs involved, etc.

  1. Composite fillings: Made of plastic resins, and are bonded to your natural tooth, composite fillings are matched to the colour of your teeth for a natural appearance and can be done in a single visit.
  2. Silver fillings: Amalgam (silver mercury) is a traditional material not commonly used now. Due to their dark colour they are not recommended for very visible areas, such as your front teeth and if the filling is very large, they can further weaken the tooth as they do not bond to your tooth structure.
  3. Gold fillings: A great choice if the cost is not an inhibiting factor for you, gold fillings may last up to 20 years. Note that these do require multiple visits to your dentist.
  4. Porcelain fillings: Called inlays or onlays, they are made in a lab and then bonded to the tooth. While they can be matched to the colour of the tooth and resist staining, they do cost more than regular fillings, however, can provide a superior end result that is longer lasting than a traditional plastic resin composite material.

Is it Painful/Difficult to Repair or Restore Tooth Fillings?

While some fillings can last for 15 years, others might have to be repaired or replaced in as little as 5 years. A tooth filling may need to be repaired or replaced if it has fallen out, cracked or worn, or if you experience some sensitivity. The rate of replacement is highly related to your mouth chemistry and decay rate. Diet and home care play an important factor into the longevity of any of the materials.

Your Waterloo dentist can administer an anaesthetic during the procedure to reduce any discomfort or pain you might feel. We believe that doing fillings is not complicated at all. Waterloo Smiles offers composite resin dental fillings that are designed to match the colour of your teeth. They are prepared and set in one visit for a beautiful, natural look. Click here to read testimonials from our smiling clients! . We also do all the other types mentioned already and can discuss which material is the best choice for you.

Call 519-888-6063 or click here to schedule an appointment with Dr. Husain, your experienced Waterloo dentist, and learn more about how to improve your dental health.

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(519) 888-6063
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