Accidental dental damage

Posted on: 24 April 2017

Sometimes there can be damage to the structure of your teeth caused by tooth decay. This inevitably results in pain, making it uncomfortable for you to enjoy your favorite dish or even sleep. One treatment commonly used to restore the structure and strength of the tooth by dentists is dental filling.

What is dental filling?

It is when a dentist removes the decayed part of your teeth and seals or fills the resulting cavity with material to prevent further tooth decay and restore the strength of your tooth.

Types of fillings

Amalgam fillings

These are made of combinations of various metals with mercury. They usually include silver, tin, zinc and copper.

Pros

• They are known to last long.
• They are strong, hence suitable for teeth that chew a lot.
• They are usually cheaper than all the other fillings.
• They can be completed in one dental visit.

Cons

• The reason why they are not as popular as before has to do with mercury. Despite no evidence showing any harm caused by mercury in amalgam fillings, there is the possibility that mercury will be released into the environment during disposal or cremation of someone sporting them.
• There have been some reported allergies to metals like copper.
• They can weaken the tooth because a dentist has to remove more of your tooth to create a pocket
• They do not have the color of teeth.

Composite fillings

These are usually made of powder glass and acrylic resin.

Pros

• They take the color of the teeth, so you can smile on.
• They do not pose a known health risk.

 Cons

• They are not as strong as amalgam fillings.
• They are more costly

Gold fillings

These are made of gold alloys.

Pros

• They are strong and durable
• They look good; some people like them because of this.

Cons

• Gold is expensive, and it takes more than one visit to the dentist.
• They are not tooth colored if you want your teeth looking uniform.

Ceramic fillings

They are made of porcelain. The upside is that they look like your teeth and do not stain easily. The downside is that they are fragile and expensive.

Finally

The choice of fillings is dependent on the material, your budget, as well as the locations in the mouth and function of the tooth. Dental fillings need the usual care of teeth and periodical visits to your dentist to check on your health. Most dental fillings should be replaced any time decay becomes evident around them or they show signs of leaking.