Dental Fillings, Which Type Works Best for You?
One of the remarkable things about your pearly whites is that they can last an entire lifetime. They are incredibly strong and may even seem indestructible. However, don’t mistake their sturdiness for indestructibility. Even though they can withstand a lot of stuff, they need constant care to ensure they serve for life.
In case you are a bit cavalier about caring for them daily, or they are challenging to clean, then there is a chance that tooth decay will be the order of the day. The silver lining is that we have dental fillings in Bayport, NY, that can deal with tooth decay.
Dental fillings come in handy since they help protect the tooth from further damage due to decay.
What Are the Benefits of Dental Fillings?
Before we check out why you need to get dental fillings, you must understand a thing or two about them.
Dental fillings are made from various materials, which our dentist in Bayport can use to repair a tooth damaged by tooth decay. Our dentist will remove the decayed part, clean the area, and then use the filling to seal up the area occupied by the decayed portion.
So, what could be the benefits of removing the decayed portion of a tooth and then covering it using a dental filling? Well, let’s find out!
Dental Fillings Hinder the Cavity from Growing
Cavities don’t destroy the teeth overnight. It’s a process that takes a lot of time. However, it will not go away if you don’t deal with the cavity. Instead, it will keep on destroying your tooth. So, when our dentist removes the decayed part and pours the filling material in its stead, the cavity stops growing.
Dental Fillings Improve the Tooth Structure
A cavity will hollow out a tooth, so placing a composite filling will improve your tooth structure. The filling will give your tooth much-needed support after removing the decayed part.
Dental Fillings Will Improve Your Tooth Color
Cavities tend to alter the color of the affected tooth. However, getting a tooth-colored filling such as a composite filling, can help improve the color of the tooth with cavities.
Dental Fillings Can Strengthen a Fractured Tooth
If you have a fractured tooth, maybe because of trauma or decay, then fillings can also be used to repair the fracture. A white composite filling is the best type of filling to deal with fractures.
Dental Fillings Will Protect Your Teeth from Decay
Your teeth can develop tiny holes, which can trap food. If the food debris isn’t removed, bacteria will continue to digest the food leading to decay. When fillings are placed in those holes, they can protect the tooth from tooth decay.
Different Types of Dental Fillings Used in Dentistry
Dental technology is light years ahead of what it used to be decades ago. Now, we have different materials that can be used to create fillings. However, before you choose the filling you desire, you will have to consider the following:
- Location of the cavity
- Cost
- History of allergic reactions specific to metals
- The extent of the damage
Once you have considered the above, you must choose the material used. So, these are your options:
- Porcelain Fillings
Porcelain is a tooth-colored material that resembles your teeth. It is an aesthetically pleasing tooth filling that will blend in with the rest of your pearly whites. What’s more, porcelain fillings are stain-resistant, so there will be no need to worry about surface stains.
- Gold Fillings
These fillings are the best in terms of sturdiness. They are made from a variety of metals, including gold and copper. They are the best options for back teeth since they can withstand the chewing force. But some people may shy away from this filling because of the color.
- Composite Fillings
Composite fillings are made from plastic. They are life-like, just like porcelain fillings. However, composite fillings are relatively inexpensive because they are made from plastic. But they are not as sturdy as the other options.
- Amalgam Fillings
The amalgam fillings are in the same category as the gold fillings since they are sturdy. They are made from silver, tin, mercury, etc. They are the best option for back teeth. But they lack aesthetic appeal, so some patients will not gravitate towards them.
- Glass-Ionomer Fillings
These fillings are made from acrylic and powdered glass. They are tooth-colored and have fluoride to prevent further tooth decay. However, they are not as strong as the other fillings, so they are mostly placed on kids’ teeth.
As you can see, you have an array of options when looking for dental fillings in Bayport, NY. Contact us at Bayport Dental Care to schedule an appointment.