Do You Get Fillings When You Have Cavities?

What is Dental Filling?

A dental filling is a treatment material used to treat a cavity in a tooth. Our South Austin Family Dental dentist removes the decayed part in your tooth and fills the hole with a filling material to repair your cavity.

Types of Dental Fillings

There are different dental fillings in Peak Dental South Austin that will fill your cavity and prevent further damage to your teeth. They include:

Composite Fillings

Composite dental fillings are made of glass and resin. Your dentist will place it on the tooth while it is soft and harden it with a bright light. The filling can be customized to match the color of your teeth. This makes it more popular and common since many people want natural-looking smiles.

However, a composite filling is less durable, making it not always the right pick. Therefore, the useful life of this filling is not as long as other options such as amalgam fillings. A composite filling is best as a small filling and ideally suited for teeth that receive less pressure when you chew.

Amalgam Dental Fillings

Silver amalgam combines silver, mercury, tin, and copper. It is a popular type since it is firm and sturdy. It is also less expensive than other options and long-lasting. With proper dental care, these fillings can last up to 12 years.

In addition, this filling is malleable, making dentists find it easy to use. However, patients don’t see it as aesthetically pleasing. Also, amalgam fillings are prone to contracting and expanding, causing your tooth to crack compared to other options of fillings. Although it has mercury surrounding it, it is declared safe for use.

Ceramic Fillings

These fillings are made from porcelain material. They are cosmetically appealing and durable. In addition, these tooth-colored fillings in South Austin resist stains and abrasion better than composite fillings.

However, the ceramic filling is more brittle. Therefore, it is only best on large cavities to prevent breakage. Your dentist may enlarge the area to make room for the extra bulk.

Glass Ionomer Fillings

Glass ionomer filling is created from a mix of acrylic and glass. Children also get cavities that need to be filled just like their parents. Glass ionomer is applied in children whose teeth are still forming. They are used on primary teeth or to fill the small areas of decay, as they are delicate and wear and tear.

Glass ionomer releases fluoride into the tooth to protect it from further decay. When glass ionomer fillings are used on permanent teeth, they are typically placed in a spot that does not experience extreme pressure when chewing.

Gold Fillings

When it comes to dental fillings, much worse can be done than gold. They are non-corrosive, durable, and can last up to 15 years with proper dental hygiene. However, the durability comes at a price since gold is among the most expensive fillings. Also, they are an indirect type of fillings, so you’ll require to visit your dentist more than once to get your fillings fitted correctly.

Is It Always Necessary to Fill Cavities with Dental Fillings?

The answer is no. Fillings in South Austin are used to treat cavities because your dentist removes the decayed part of the cavity and fills it to prevent further tooth damage. Although there are no ways to remove a cavity without using a filling, the decay can be reversed. These ways are:

• Fluoride Treatment: When your cavity is in its early stages, fluoride can reverse how bad the decay is or put the decay at a halt.
• Dental Sealants: Sealants are applied to a tooth with a decay forming, which helps keep the decay to a halt and reverse the current decay. This is most common when the decay is in its early stages.