How Do Dental Fillings Fix Cavities?

The moment we notice cavities in our permanent teeth, one of the first things that pops into our minds is the thought of walking around with a disgusting, discolored tooth. However, if treated early enough, tooth decay or caries, more commonly known as cavities, serious complications that may result in tooth loss and nerve damage can be prevented. In addition, you do not have to concerned about smiling modestly because of unappealing teeth.

One of the ways in which dentists treat cavities is by removing the decayed tissue and placing special material in the tooth called a dental filling to prevent further decay or damage. This may sound like a painful procedure, but don’t worry. Before removing the decayed tissues from your tooth, your dentists will apply a local anesthetic to numb the tissue and then drill out the decayed portion of the tooth to prepare it for the dental filling.

Dental Filling Options

As a result of drastic advancements in the dental health field, dental fillings have come a long way from the traditional metal fillings. The different kinds of dental fillings include:

• Amalgam Dental Fillings. Amalgam has been used for more than a century to take care of cavities and is still used today. It is made up of various elements as well as silver, tin, copper, and mercury. Amalgam fillings are silver in color and are not aesthetically suitable for teeth located at the front of the mouth.

• Composite Dental Fillings. Composite filling is a material that is made out of glass or quartz and resin. In addition to composite fillings being more durable, they also tooth colored. However, they are typically more costly than amalgam fillings and may be a longer procedure. Composite fillings may also stain overtime.

• Resin Ionomer Dental Fillings. These fillings are made out of glass and acrylic materials. Since they are tooth-colored, they are usually used to fill smaller cavities in between teeth or on the root surfaces of the teeth.

• Glass Ionomer Dental Fillings. Similar to resin ionomer fillings, glass ionomer fillings are also made from glass and acrylic materials. However, they are designed to release fluoride in order to protect your teeth from further decay, and are best used on areas of the tooth that are not exposed to friction.

• Custom Made Dental Restorations. These filings are used when your dentist needs to make your filling in a laboratory from a mold of your teeth. The process included removing a portion of your tooth and replacing it with an inlay that fills that portion of the tooth, as well as placing a crown that will cover the sides and front of the tooth. Custom made dental restorations usually require more than one visit to your dentist’s office.

If you have a cavity, and you are unsure about which filling is best suited for you, Dr. Evelina Tolchinsky, DDS and Dr. Inna Trogan DDS will be happy to advise you during your next visit. Our dentists have served the residents of Brooklyn Heights, Fort Greene, Carroll Gardens, Cobble Hill, Dumbo, and all of our other surrounding communities for years.

Our offices are located in the heart of beautiful Brooklyn Heights at 100 Pineapple Walk, Brooklyn, NY 11201