DENTAL FILLING
A dental filling is a restorative procedure and during the process dentists use chemical material to restore the function, integrity and morphology of missing tooth structure. The structural loss usually results from caries or external trauma. Foods stuck in your teeth activate bacteria in your mouth to turn them into acids. The acids, food, and bacteria all combine to make what is called plaque and this plaque stubbornly clings to your teeth and eats away your tooth enamel causing decay and cavities. This decay can affect the enamel, outer layer of the tooth, and our dentin, the inner layer. Tooth structural loss can also happen accidentally.
We first remove the decayed tooth material, clean the affected area, and then fills the cleaned out cavity with a filling material. By closing off spaces where bacteria can enter, a filling also helps prevent further decay. Materials used for fillings include gold, porcelain, a composite resin, and an amalgam. No one type of filling is best for everyone. They have their pros and cons. What’s right for you will be determined by the extent of the repair, whether you have allergies to certain materials, where in your mouth the filling is needed, and the cost. We will choose the most suitable material for your need. The filling procedures involve the following steps: Topical anesthetic to numb the area of treatment; Decay removal from the affected teeth; Tooth restoration using filling material; Bite test to ensure your teeth align comfortably.