Types of Dental Fillings for Cavities
The pain caused by a cavity can be unbearable. If left untreated, the hole can grow larger as the bacteria inside it keep multiplying and gradually destroy the layers of the tooth. In some cases, a cavity does not cause pain but still causes problems, because chewing becomes less effective and food particles easily get stuck. Accumulated food debris becomes a food source for bacteria. If it is not cleaned promptly, it can enlarge the hole.
There are many causes of cavities, for example improper brushing technique. Brushing should be done with circular motions on each tooth and last roughly two minutes. The choice of toothbrush also matters. It is recommended to choose a soft-bristled brush so as not to damage the tooth enamel. Being lazy about brushing is also a bad habit to avoid if you want to keep your teeth from developing cavities easily.
Before a cavity is filled, the dentist will first examine what has happened to the tooth. Is it a small hole, a partial break, or wear? Afterward, root canal treatment is carried out if necessary, so that when a filling is placed on top, the tooth beneath it will not be painful. Cavities that affect only the surface can be filled right away once the pain subsides. For deep cavities, a root canal treatment, known as endodontic or root canal treatment, must be performed.
After a filling is placed, the dentist usually advises not to eat for roughly 30 minutes to 1 hour, depending on the type of filling used. Patients are advised not to eat hard foods if they want to avoid returning to the dentist for a refilling.
There are many causes of cavities, for example improper brushing technique. Brushing should be done with circular motions on each tooth and last roughly two minutes. The choice of toothbrush also matters. It is recommended to choose a soft-bristled brush so as not to damage the tooth enamel. Being lazy about brushing is also a bad habit to avoid if you want to keep your teeth from developing cavities easily.
Before a cavity is filled, the dentist will first examine what has happened to the tooth. Is it a small hole, a partial break, or wear? Afterward, root canal treatment is carried out if necessary, so that when a filling is placed on top, the tooth beneath it will not be painful. Cavities that affect only the surface can be filled right away once the pain subsides. For deep cavities, a root canal treatment, known as endodontic or root canal treatment, must be performed.
After a filling is placed, the dentist usually advises not to eat for roughly 30 minutes to 1 hour, depending on the type of filling used. Patients are advised not to eat hard foods if they want to avoid returning to the dentist for a refilling.
Types of materials used for dental fillings include:
- Amalgam Made from a mixture of metal and mercury, which has a silver color.
- Glass Ionomer Made from acrylic acid and glass particles. Its color more closely resembles natural teeth, and it can be used to fill baby teeth because it bonds well.
- Resin Composite Made from resin
- Porcelain A mixture of gold metal