The use of fillings is one of the most common restorative dental procedures. There exist different materials for dental fillings including gold, ceramic, composite resin and amalgam. While the functionality of a filling is essential, its aesthetic appeal is also vital.
As such, ceramic fillings are the most popular choice since they match the color of your natural teeth. These are in fact at times called white fillings. The most common issue for which most Meridian dental care patients get fillings is tooth decay.
In the procedure, the decayed parts of a tooth are scooped out and the tooth treated. This treatment might include a root canal for extensive tooth decay or the use of antibiotics. After this, the hole left is filled with a filling material.
Cavities are however not the only indication for dental fillings. The following are the other issues that might be corrected with a filling.
Fractured, Chipped and Cracked Teeth
Trauma is the leading cause of dental fractures, cracks, and chips. Some people choose to ignore small cracks and fractures, but this has a detrimental impact on the integrity of their tooth. The crack provides a route for the entry of bacteria into the tooth’s pulp cavity and leads to extensive future treatments.
For small chips, cracks and fractures, a dental filling will suffice, but for extensive ones, a dental crown is recommended.
Tooth Sensitivity
There are varying levels of tooth sensitivity. In most cases, the sensitivity emanates from an overactive tooth or gum nerve or recession of your gums, which exposes the nerves.
For people who have just developed sensitive teeth, this could be an indicator of a developing cavity or worn out enamel. In both cases, filling the teeth can be an efficient solution more so if the sensitivity is secluded to one area.
Natural Wear of Teeth
As you age, the teeth will naturally wear down. This wearing flattens the biting edges and darkens your teeth thus affecting their appearance. Other than aging, wearing of the teeth can be caused by grinding and clenching of the teeth.
In all these instances, a filling will help to avert further damage to your teeth’s surfaces and restore them. After the filling, your dentist might recommend a mouth guard to protect the filling.
Tooth Discoloration
Tooth whitening and dental crowns are the leading options for the correction of discolored teeth. Dental fillings are however also a practical solution for discoloration. The filling is only applied to the discolored teeth, and this solution is hence practical for patients with only a few discolored teeth.
Compared with the other available solutions for the above issues, dental fillings are cheaper and do not require extensive procedures to install. They also come with fewer maintenance needs compared to other dental treatments.
Optimal care is however essential since the filing can break under considerable pressure. In these times, it is vital to get the filling redone promptly to avert the invasion of bacteria into the space left by the broken filling.
