DENTAL FILLINGS
DENTAL FILLINGS
Dental Fillings in Vijayawada
A dental filling is used to treat a small hole, or cavity, in a tooth caused by decay over a period of time. A dentist removes the entire decayed tooth material and then fills the cavity with an appropriate filling material. Suitable filling material is offered by the dentist based on the clinical condition. For example, if you need a filling for your anterior teeth he may suggest a tooth coloured filling but if the same is needed for your back or posterior teeth, she/he may suggest something that is strong to resist biting forces of the back teeth and not consider aesthetics. There are several types of filling materials currently available in the market to repair or fill the tooth cavities.
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A filling is used to treat a small hole, or cavity, in a tooth. To repair a cavity, a dentist removes the decayed tooth tissue and then fills the space with a filling material. When a tooth is repeatedly exposed to acid, such as when you frequently consume food or drink high in sugar and starches, the enamel continues to lose minerals. A white spot may appear where minerals have been lost. This is a sign of early decay.
Tooth decay can be stopped or reversed at this point. Enamel can repair itself by using minerals from saliva and fluoride from toothpaste or through the application of fluoride by a dentist or dental hygienist. If more minerals are lost than can be restored, the enamel weakens and eventually breaks down, forming a cavity.
More severe decay can cause a large hole or even destruction of the entire tooth. If tooth decay is not treated, it can cause pain, infection, and even tooth loss.
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Although it’s best to prevent a cavity, a cavity can be fixed. There are several types of filling materials used to repair cavities, including tooth-colored (composite) fillings and silver-colored (amalgam) fillings. Composite resin materials are increasingly used by dentists to fill teeth because many people prefer tooth-colored fillings and because composites continue to improve.
There are also treatments called crowns (or caps), used to repair badly broken-down teeth. Crowns can be made of gold or other metals, porcelain, or stainless steel (usually used on baby teeth).
Generally, dental fillings and crowns do not last a lifetime and may need to be replaced.