Combating Your Cavities With The Right Dental Fillings
Types Of Dental Fillings To Combat Tooth Decay: What’s Right For You?
Even with regular dental care, you may still end up with a cavity, thanks to a combination of your diet, your genetics, your oral hygiene habits, and your overall health. You will need to make an appointment with your Gilbert dentist to inspect the tooth and determine the severity of the cavity. In most cases, your dentist will be able to remove the decay and fill the cavity, so that the damage doesn’t spread. If the cavity is left untreated for too long, you may need a root canal, so early detection and repair will save you from the necessity of extra procedures.
Talk to your Gilbert dentist to learn more about your treatment options. Here are a few filling types your dentist might suggest for your cavities. Ask plenty of questions to determine which is right for you:
Amalgam Dental Fillings
Amalgam fillings are the traditional silver fillings that so many people used to get. The fillings are composed of a mixture of mercury, tin, copper, silver, and zinc. These fillings used to be very popular because they are durable and long-lasting, and because they are inexpensive. However, the fillings fell out of favor because the metals were shown to be toxic and contribute to other health problems.
You are not going to be offered silver fillings at a reputable Gilbert dental office. However, if you do have old metal fillings, your dentist may recommend that you remove them and replace them with a safer material.
Gold Fillings
Gold is not known to be toxic the way other metal fillings are. However, it is an expensive option, and most insurance companies are not willing to pay for gold fillings. The gold also stands out against your smile – which some may like the look of, but others may find problematic for professional appearance.
Composite Dental Fillings
Composite fillings are made from a mixture of acrylic resin and powdered glass. Composite fillings are among the most popular types of fillings because they are natural-looking and easy to apply. Though these fillings are prone to chipping and are not as durable as metal. However, these filling do have the advantage of bonding to the tooth, which means that they don’t require as much of the tooth to be ground down to provide mechanical retention.
Porcelain & Ceramic Tooth Fillings
Porcelain and ceramic fillings are created in a lab to be placed on your tooth. That means that you’ll likely have to visit your Gilbert dental office more than once to have them measured and placed. These fillings are more fragile than metal fillings, and they also tend to be costly. However, their advantage is that they look the most like your natural teeth.
Resin & Glass Ionomer Fillings
These fillings are delicate, so they are used in small areas of decay, such as in children’s teeth or in spots below the gumline. They are not used in areas where there will be extreme pressure, such as on the molars, which are used for chewing.
When you need a filling, your Gilbert dentist will likely choose the best filling for you based on your tooth decay and the location. However, if you have specific questions or preferences, you can raise them and get tailored feedback about what’s best for your dental care. Your dentist will work as your partner in ensuring that you get the right dental care to promote the best oral health now and long into the future. Talk to your dentist about your options for preventing and treating cavities and other dental health issues.
Need a Dental Filling Procedure? Contact Gilbert’s Leading Dentists In Teeth Restoration Treatments
Call Gilbert Vista Dental Care today to schedule an appointment for a dental exam. Dr. Rita A. Peck will evaluate your dental health and determine if you have any cavities or emerging tooth decay. She’ll then help you understand the best options for treating your cavities, including the right kind of filling material, and whether any additional measures need to be taken, such as changes to your dental care at home or treatment for emerging gum disease. Our team offers comprehensive Gilbert dental care, including treatment for oral health issues like cavities but also for cosmetic issues, such as teeth whitening and straightening. Contact us in Gilbert today to make an appointment and talk about your options.
Gilbert Vista Dental Care
2451 East Baseline Road #210
Gilbert, AZ 85234
Phone: (480) 503-5467
Email: info@drritapeck.com
Website: https://drritapeck.com/
