Understanding Dental Fillings – A Guide for Show Low Residents
Fillings are a popular way for dentists in Show Low, Arizona, to fix cavities or cracked teeth. When you do not clean off plaque, a film of germs that sticks to your teeth, small holes appear in their hard surface. These are called cavities.
Plaque makes acid that breaks down tooth enamel. Cavities can get bigger, hurt, spread, and even lead to tooth loss if they are not fixed.
Fillings fix the form, function, and power of the tooth. They also keep the rot from getting worse by covering the hole the hollow made.
A lot of people have the wrong idea about tooth fillings, especially when it comes to how safe they are. Let us talk about some of the most often-asked questions. For more information, consult a Show Low dentist today.
What are the different types of dental fillings?
Fillings for teeth come in two main types: direct and indirect. Direct fillings are put in during an office visit, all in one go. Because they are made to order in a dental lab, indirect fillings need more than one visit.
For smaller cracks, direct fills are usually the best choice. These are some common materials used for direct fillings:
1. Amalgam (silver fillings).
These are the strongest and longest-lasting fillings. However, they look silver and do not match your teeth. This is not a good option for people who do not want their fillings to stand out.
2. Tooth-colored fillings made of composite resin.
These fillings look better than mercury fillings, but they might not be as strong.
Indirect fillings are used for bigger holes, teeth that are broken in more than one place, or when a strong, long-lasting repair is needed. These are some common materials used for indirect fillings:
3. Gold fillings.
Gold fillings are quite famous, and you may have seen them in movies. You can get gold fillings, but they are the most pricey. However, they are very strong and can last for many years.
4. Fillings made of porcelain.
Porcelain fillings are the most popular. This is because these are strong, last a long time, and perfectly match the color of your teeth, so a lot of people choose them.
Are dental fillings safe?
Dental fillings are a safe and effective way to fix cavities and keep teeth healthy. The filler materials have been fully tried and given the all-clear by dentistry regulatory groups.
One big worry about tooth fillings is that amalgam fillings, which contain mercury, might not be safe. There is a very small amount of mercury in amalgam fillings, though, and tests have shown that it does not harm most people’s health.
You can talk to your doctor about your choices if you are worried about the safety of mercury fillings. You could also get hybrid plastic or ceramic fills instead, which might be a better choice for you.
How do you choose the right filling material?
What kind of filling material is best for you will depend on a number of things, including the size and location of the crack, your insurance benefits, and how you want your teeth to look. You should talk to your doctor about these things to find the best choice for your needs.
When picking a filling material, here are some more things to think about:
- What kind of time frame do you expect the filling to last?
- How strong is the filling? How much pressure can it handle?
- How does it look? Do you want a filling that matches your teeth?
- How much does the filling material cost?
Why regular dental checkups are important.
Getting regular dental checkups is important for keeping your smile healthy because they help stop cavities, gum disease, and other problems. Dentists can find these problems early on and fix them.
Of course, they clean your teeth and get rid of buildup and plaque. Brush your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and floss once a day to keep your mouth healthy.
Remember to clean and check your teeth at the dentist’s office every six months. Also, drink water and eat healthy snacks. If you take care of your teeth and gums, you can keep your smile healthy and avoid mouth problems.
