A cavity is one of the most common dental issues faced by kids as well as adults. It is important to treat the cavity at the earliest as ignoring it can lead to severe decay and tooth loss or need for extraction in the long run. For treating the cavity, the dentist generally removes the decayed portion of the tooth and packs it with a filling. The filling has other uses as well such as repairing the cracks or broken teeth and teeth that have been worn down from misuse.
When the food particles remain on the teeth for a longer duration, the bacterial attack leads to the formation of plaque. The plaque then weakens the enamel and causes decay. The symptoms of decay begin with mild sensitivity to cold and hot food and beverages. It will also manifest in the form of constant pain that needs medication. Thus, you need to get the cavity treated by removing the decay and getting it filled.
The dentist near you will first numb the site of the procedure with the help of a local anesthetic. The next step will be drilling a hole in the tooth for removing the decayed area. The dentist may use various instruments for drilling the hole such as laser, drill, or air abrasion instrument. The dentist may choose one of the options based on their training, expertise, and availability of the instrument in their clinic.
The Dental Filling Specialist will then make sure that all the decay has been removed from the tooth. Then he will prepare the space for cavity filling by cleaning the debris and bacteria from the cavity. Once the filling has been placed, the dentist will polish it for the final look.
There are different types of tooth filling material available now unlike the older times when the amalgam fillings used to be the only option for filling treatment in Granville, Ohio. Some factors determine the type of filling to be used such as the severity of the decay, cost of filling, location of the decay, insurance coverage, and the suggestion from the dentist.
The gold fillings are one of the most durable options and also the strong ones as they can withstand chewing forces easily. However, they may not have opted by many patients as they lack esthetic appeal. People may choose them if the decayed tooth is located at the back of the mouth. However, they can be super expensive with the cost almost 10 times higher than the silver amalgams.
The silver fillings can also last for at least 10 to 15 years and can withstand the chewing force. It’s less expensive than composite fillings. However, the silver fillings don’t match the color of your natural teeth. Also, a healthy part of your tooth may need to be removed to make space for amalgam fillings. They can create a grayish color on the surrounding tooth structure. Cracks and fractures can be caused in the filling with the expansion and contraction of the tooth.
These are tooth-colored esthetically appealing fillings. They bond with the tooth offering additional support. They may not last as long as silver or gold fillings and may crack if excessive pressure is placed while chewing or if they are used for large cavities.
There are other types of fillings as well such as ceramic and glass ionomer. While the ceramic fillings are made of porcelain, the glass ionomer ones are made of a type of glass material and acrylic.
The cost of the filling varies from one region to another and one clinic to another. It usually depends on the size of the filling, the material used by the dentist, the experience of the dentist, and how much tooth structure is remaining.
You can prevent the cavity from happening by getting the dental sealants applied along with fluoride application for making your teeth stronger. You can maintain the filling for a long time by proper brushing, flossing, and using an anti-bacterial mouthwash.
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