Are you looking to brighten your smile and revive your appearance? Are you in pain because of cavities? Or are you in trouble because of damage due to damage and bacteria on your teeth? In that case, tooth filling is here to reclaim your healthy teeth.
A tooth filling is a dentist’s most common procedure where they remove the damaged and decayed part. It will also help you to restore if you have any kind of damaged tooth.
In this blog, you will learn about the different types of tooth filling with their advantages and disadvantages. It will help you to know which filling is suitable for you. Furthermore, you will get information about proper care after a tooth filling. Also how painful is tooth filling? Read below to learn more.
Types of Tooth Filling: Advantages and Disadvantages
Every procedure has consequences no matter if you are going through a minor or major treatment process. Likewise, tooth filling uses several replacement material, which helps in protecting further damage and restore the tooth’s appearance and function.
GET A DENTAL CARE YOU NEED WITH JUST A CLICK OR CALL. BOOK YOUR APPOINTMENT ONLINE OR CALL US AT:
- 01-4480880 – Chabahil, Kathmandu
- 01-4312911 – Naikap, Kathmandu
- 04-4550365 – Bardibas, Mahottari
Moreover, there are several types of tooth filling, to learn about the types and their advantages & disadvantages which are explained below.
Composite Resin
Composite Resin is made up of fine glass particles and a plastic mixture used for small and large fillings that are visible. It is tooth-colored and can be hardened on its own or by using UV light.
Advantages:
- There are many shades to match the various natural tooth color which makes it aesthetically pleasing
- It can be placed in one visit
- There is a low risk of breaking if it is well-bonded above the enamel layer also it will not rust
- It is durable and its longevity is said to be up to 6 years
- It can withstand moderate biting forces and can be used for front and back teeth
Disadvantages:
- It is costly and not as strong as amalgam
- It is more difficult to place and it might leak with time if bonded below the dentin surface
- It can diminish in size and leaves gas which will lead to new cavities
Porcelain or Ceramic
Dentists uses the porcelain or ceramic to make indirect restorations like veneers, implants, inlays & outlays, and crowns. It is also usable as a combination with metal to make porcelain fused to a metal crown.
Advantages:
- It has good resistance to further decay, and resistance to surface water, also it is aesthetically pleasing since it gives a natural appearance and feels
- It does not have leakage which means no secondary caries are developed due to its precise fitting
Disadvantages:
- It is less durable and thus can break easily
- To be less prone to shatter, it must reduce the size of the teeth
Glass Ionomer
Glass ionomer is made up of acrylic acid and fine glass powder which is used for cement for inlay fillings, baby teeth, front teeth fillings, around the neck of teeth, roots surface cavities, and in areas without very strong biting forces.
Advantages:
- It resembles tooth structure and natural color which makes it aesthetically pleasing
- Decay risk is less to none since it bonds directly to the teeth
Disadvantages:
- It cannot withstand strong biting forces
- It is costly and will take you much more time than other treatments
Amalgam
Amalgam is an alloy containing silver, mercury is in larger proportions while other materials like copper, tin, zinc, and silver are in small quantities.
Advantages:
- It is pocket friendly because it is cheaper than all the other filling materials
- It is very durable and has low shrinkage which means there will be little to no leakage
- In most cases, you can accomplish it in a single visit and it can withstand strong biting forces
Disadvantages:
- It will show contrast with the natural tooth color which makes it less aesthetically pleasant also it is not directly bound to the tooth
- Some people can be allergic to mercury
- It also tarnishes or discolors with time
Gold Alloys
These kinds of tooth filling contain gold, copper, and other metals. It uses explicitly for inlays, outlays, and crowns.
Advantages:
- It has excellent durability and is long-lasting
- It has a unique aesthetic appearance and it is immune to rusting
- It resists leakage and its placement preserves the healthy tooth structure
Disadvantages:
- It will not match the color of your natural teeth
- While getting gold tooth fillings, you will need to give two long sittings
How painful is Tooth Filling?
Tooth filling can hurt in some occurrences but most cause little to no pain during the procedure. Dentists use an anesthetic to keep you secure during a filling appointment. It will stop the nerves from sending pain signals from your mouth to your brain so it doesn’t hurt when the dentist starts the drill.
After the local anesthesia starts to work, you might feel pressure but not any pain. Likewise, to feel a small amount of irritation that feels like a slight sting is fine because it’s an actual sign of the anesthetic is working.
However, if for any reason you feel any pain or your tooth is still sensitive, you can let our respective dentist know about it and they will be applying additional anesthetic medication.
Do’s and Don’t’s after Tooth Filling
While dental filling to treat a cavity is a very common dental procedure, many patients should be aware of best practices and those to avoid after the process. Om Samaj Dental Hospital has rounded up the dos and dont’s which you can follow to care for your teeth after tooth filling.
Do’s
- Check the Bite
To avoid any unevenness in your natural bite, you will need to check if the bite is comfortable. You should be keen to be certain whether the bite blends in with the nearby teeth or not. If you feel or notice any abnormalities in your bite, inform your dentist about it so they can remedy the situation.
- Brush and Floss Regularly
You can continue brushing and flossing after tooth filling since the fillings dry up quickly. However, you should brush and floss carefully around the tooth and you should be able to keep the area clean as usual.
- Consult Your Dentist
Consult with your dentist is the most important thing you should be doing after having a tooth-filling procedure. You can ask your dentist right away if you have any concerns or questions regarding caring for the fillings and what you should and shouldn’t be doing after having tooth filling.
At Om Samaj Dental Hospital, you can freely ask questions since we care about our patients and our friendly team will be more than happy to address any concerns you may have.
- Take medicine as prescribed by your dentist
If you are experiencing any sort of tooth sensitivity after getting the tooth filling, you can take a prescribed medicine. It will help you relieve pain and discomfort however, if the pain perseveres you can contact Om Samaj Dental Hospital for more assistance.
- Go for Routine Check-ups
If you go for routine check-ups, the dentist can assess the progress of the fillings. Moreover, you can also get cleanups which will benefit the perfect oral health. Also, Dentists can look for any emerging cavities so that they can prevent the situation from worsening.
GET A DENTAL CARE YOU NEED WITH JUST A CLICK OR CALL. BOOK YOUR APPOINTMENT ONLINE OR CALL US AT:
- 01-4480880 – Chabahil, Kathmandu
- 01-4312911 – Naikap, Kathmandu
- 04-4550365 – Bardibas, Mahottari
Don’t’s
- Touch Your Filling
If you feel an imbalance after the procedure, you shouldn’t press the tooth filling because it can get worse. Alternatively, you can consult with your dentist and they will resolve the issue professionally. Also, it is not preferable to touch the filling since you can transfer the germs on your hands to your teeth.
- Eat Hard or Chewy Foods and Drink Hot Beverages
Since some filling take time to set, you should avoid eating hard and sticky food which might damage the fillings. So, it is essential to try liquid foods so that dental appliance remains intact.
Likewise, you should also avoid drinking extremely hot drinks since extreme temperatures can harm material that might be still fresh and sensitive as well.
- Ignore Persistent Pain
After the tooth filling procedure, you will feel slight pain and discomfort in the area where you got the injection when the numbing wears off. To feel such pain and experience sensitivity in your tooth is perfectly normal. However, if the pain continues for a week, you should consult your dentist for help.
- Grind Your Teeth
To avoid damage to the material, you should avoid grinding your teeth especially if you are a habitual teeth grinder. The fillings will wear off and it might as well crack due to the grinding.
If you have a habit of grinding your teeth then you don’t have to worry since there is an ultimate solution which is to wear a mouthguard to protect your dentition.