Dental cavities are only a problem if they get left untreated. When there are cavities in the teeth, the implication is often tooth loss, which no one wants.
But it’s easy to catch before it gets to that point; you just need to visit your dentist regularly. The cavities will be spotted early if you do, and a filling can be used to treat the damage.
If you are considering getting dental fillings, here is everything you need to know.
What Is a Dental Filling?
Dental fillings are the most common form of tooth restoration. They are commonly used to treat cavities to fill in the damaged area.
It is made out of a plastic material called resins. Resins are well-known for their strength and durability. Since they closely mimic the natural colour of the surrounding teeth, they are a great permanent solution to tooth damage.
What Are the Different Types of Dental Filling?
There are several different types of dental filling. These include:
1) Amalgam Filling
Amalgam is a mixture of metals like silver, tin, copper and zinc. They are used to fill in large cavities up to three millimetres wide. They are great if you want a long-lasting filling, with a minimum of 10 years.
2) Composite Filling
Composite fillings are made of a mixture of plastics and resins. They are a softer type of dental filling that can be used to fill in up to a two-millimetre cavity.
Usually, they are used as a quick fix to a small cavity that has not yet made a hole in the tooth.
While they are a good option for small cavities, they are not as strong or durable as amalgam fillings. This is due to the use of resins instead of metal.
3) Indirect Filling
Indirect fillings are used on the rare occasion that there is decay behind the filling. They are typically made of gold, porcelain or composite resin.
While very strong and durable, these types of fillings are quite expensive.
Which Filling Should You Choose?
When you are choosing a filling for your teeth, you will want to strongly consider the type of filling that you want. This will depend mainly on the space that the filling should fill.
If you have a large cavity, you will want to choose an amalgam filling. They are great at filling large cavities and will last a long time.
If you have a small cavity, composites are a good choice. They are great if you don’t want to have to come back to the dentist too soon.
Regardless of the type of filling that you choose, you will want to be sure that you choose one that is right for you.
Conclusion
Dental fillings are the best solution for dental cavities. They are affordable, which makes it accessible to more people.
Correct your teeth with the help of cosmetic dentistry in Earlwood. The TLC Dentist is here to fix any dental issues you may have, especially with cavities. Get in touch with us today to learn how.
