Table of contents:
- What are dental fillings?
- Types of dental fillings based on the material
- 1. Amalgam
- 2. Composite resin
- 3. Gold yellow
- 4. Metal and porcelain
- What is the dental filling procedure?
- How is the treatment after tooth filling?
Dental filling procedures should be performed if you have special conditions, such as broken teeth, cavities, or damage. These problematic teeth will usually cause pain and discomfort if left for too long.
The patient's oral health condition is also a determining factor for the type of material to be installed. What are the types and materials of dental fillings that are commonly used? Then how do you fill your teeth, which is commonly done by dentists?
What are dental fillings?
Tooth filling is one of the most common dental straightening procedures performed when the tooth has a special condition, such as a broken, cavity, or damaged tooth. There are a number of dental filling materials that are commonly used by dentists.
Amalgam derived from metal alloys is most commonly used to fill back molars because of its tough and durable material. To fill the front teeth, dentists will generally recommend another filling material that has a color similar to the color of the natural teeth.
The cost of a dental filling depends on the patient's tooth condition, the filling material used, and other additional procedures performed by the dentist.
Types of dental fillings based on the material
Based on the materials used, there are four types of dental fillings that can be tailored to the needs and condition of your teeth, namely:
1. Amalgam
One type of dental filling material is made from a mixture of various types of metal and is silver in color. Amalgam consists of 50% mercury, 35% silver, 15% tin, copper, and other metals. Usually this filling is used to repair the back molars.
Although the use of this type of patch can last up to 10 years, doctors do not recommend that patients use this type of patch. This is because amalgam is a metal that contains mercury which is very dangerous for the body.
According to the Oral Health Foundation, the mercury content in amalgam which has been mixed with other metals is not toxic and harmful to health. To date, no studies have found a link between the effects of amalgam and health problems in humans.
2. Composite resin
This composite dental filling material is made from a mixture of plastic particles and fine glass. This dental filling process uses bright blue light which acts to harden the glass particles on the teeth.
This process is quite time consuming because the doctor will send the dental skeleton to the laboratory first to make the contents of the dental mold that are cavities or damaged.
One of the advantages of this dental filling material is that the color of the filling will blend with the color of the natural teeth and the material is fairly strong, although not as strong as amalgam.
Unfortunately, the price of resin composite dental fillings is slightly more expensive than amalgam materials. This resin composite material can last for approximately 5 years in teeth.
3. Gold yellow
Maybe in Indonesia many have used gold tooth fillings. This type of dental filling is made of a gold alloy mixed with metal. Some people prefer this gold color to silver amalgam. In addition, the gold material also does not corrode teeth.
Dental fillings made of gold are also fairly durable in use, which is around 15 years of use. Another plus, the gold patch can withstand the strength of chewing food that is hard and thick in texture.
When compared to the price, the price of gold tooth fillings is 6 to 7 times more expensive than amalgam and composite materials.
4. Metal and porcelain
Porcelain and metals are common ingredients for repairing tooth decay. Usually these two materials can be used to repair all parts of the tooth, for example for dental veneers, dental implants, and even braces.
However, metal filling is much cheaper than porcelain when you want to repair tooth decay. Both are safe to use in the body and can last more than 7 years.
What is the dental filling procedure?
Why do teeth have to be filled? Maybe you will be wondering the purpose and how to fill teeth by dentists. The purpose of the tooth filling process is to cover the holes in the surface of the tooth enamel.
Fillings are used according to the health condition of your teeth. However, in general, dental fillings are performed to reduce the risk of leakage or decay within the tooth.
The following are the stages and processes of dental filling that you usually get when you visit the dentist.
- Local anesthetic. First, you will be given an injection of a local anesthetic to temporarily numb the nerve area around the tooth
- Tooth decay process. After the anesthesia has been successfully carried out, the dentist will cut the tooth enamel using a drill to remove the decay in it. Then the doctor will create a space in the tooth in preparation for inserting a filling in it.
- Etching. This process is used to tighten the teeth with acid gel before filling the cavities with filling material.
- Resin application. Your teeth will also be resin coated in bright light to make them strong and less brittle. Next, the doctor will fill your teeth with a dental filling that has been recommended by the doctor.
- Polishing. When finished filling the teeth the doctor will clean the teeth with polishing. One of the benefits of polishing is that it can fade stains on teeth.
How is the treatment after tooth filling?
After the tooth filling process, you may experience some discomfort in your mouth due to the local anesthesia that was done previously. No need to worry, this will return to normal over time after 1-3 hours.
To maintain dental health after completing a tooth filling, there are several dental treatments so that the filling can last a long time, including:
- Avoid foods and drinks that are high in sugar, too hot, or too cold.
- Avoid applying too hard pressure around the tooth filling area.
- Brushing your teeth properly and regularly twice a day with toothpaste that contains fluoride.
- Using dental floss (dental floss) and mouthwash to clean between teeth from food debris and plaque.
The dentist may recommend further examinations. If there are complaints, such as swollen gums, cracked patches, and discomfort when chewing, it is better to consult your doctor immediately.
