Fillings

Dental fillings are used to restore damaged teeth to their normal functionality and shape. The typical materials that are used for filling include Gold, Porcelain, Tooth-colored filling and Amalgam. The amalgam can be an alloy of mercury, silver, copper, tin, and zinc.

A filling is a restorative technique to convert a damaged or decayed tooth back to its normal functionality and shape. When dentists provide you with a filling, the decayed cavity is first removed and cleaned and then, the cleaned out cavity is filled with a filling material.

Closing off such spaces will help prevent bacterial accumulation and this would prevent further decay and loss of the tooth.

WHAT TYPE OF FILLING IS THE BEST SUITED FOR YOU?

Your initial visit to Olson Dental will help to determine whether a tooth filling is necessary or not. Initially, it will involve cleaning the teeth. This phase will allow us to get rid of bacteria from the teeth and conduct X-rays to understand where the fillings are required.

The following will help you understand what type of filling is best suited for you:

• Gold filling: Gums are better accustomed to Gold fillings. They are fabricated in labs and cemented into place. Gold fillings would last for about 20 years. Though they are expensive, they are the much- opted filling technique used as they will be worth the money.
• Amalgam (silver) filling: Being comparatively inexpensive, amalgam silver fillings are resistant to wear and tear. As their color is noticeable as compared to porcelain and composite restorations, these fillings aren’t recommended in the visible area, such as the frontal teeth.
• Composite (plastic) resins filling: Composite fillings are made in order to match the same color that of our teeth. These fillings are placed directly into the cavity where they are hardened. They can last as many as three to ten years.
• Porcelain fillings: Porcelain fillings are called as inlays or onlays. They are bonded directly to the teeth. These fillings can be exactly matched to the color of the teeth and are stain resistant. These fillings generally cover an entire tooth and their cost is similar to that of gold.

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU GET A FILLING?

As you consult us to get your cavities removed, we will first remove the cavity from the decayed teeth, clean the cavity filled portion of the teeth and later fill it with any of the above materials.

HOW TO KNOW THAT YOU NEED A FILLING?

One of the major situations that will lead us to recommend that you will need a dental filling is when there are cavities present inside your teeth that can, in the long run, harm the rest of the teeth.

We will undergo a close examination of the teeth with the help of small mirrors to determine the severity of your condition. Anything that appears seemingly abnormal will be taken for further tests and investigation one of which includes a default X-ray check. Dr. Olson will recommend a treatment plan that will depend on the severity of the damage.