When you go see your dentist, they will check to see if you have any cavities. If you have cavities, the dentist will need to fill them so they don't get any worse. If you don't do anything about them, the cavities will start to hurt, and eventually, your tooth will need to be removed. The bacteria that caused the cavity you have right now can spread to other teeth and start cavities there or worsen existing cavities. When your dentist fills your cavity, they have a choice of materials to use. What are some of the materials that your dentist can use to fill your teeth?
Amalgam
These are generally silver fillings and can be mixed with other metals like copper or tin. They are less common than they used to be because they are very obvious and visible. There is no hiding that you have a filling. If your dentist still uses them regularly, they probably only use them on the molars or tongue-side surfaces because they won't be visible. Many dentists tend to use something other than silver amalgam fillings, but if you have a tight budget, you can talk to your dentist about this option since amalgam fillings tend to be less expensive than other options.
Composite
These types of fillings are much more common. They are made out of a special dental resin or epoxy. They can also be called direct fillings because the material is put right into the cavity and then sculpted to fit the rest of your tooth. The material can be tinted to match the rest of your teeth, making it perfect for use on more visible teeth or the front surfaces of your teeth. When you get one of these fillings, the dentist will pack the cavity with the material and make it so that the filling is flat to your tooth. Depending on the location of your cavity and how big it is, the dentist may feather out some of the material to cover undamaged areas to anchor the filling better. After that, the dentist will use a special UV light to set the composite material to harden.
If you have a cavity, you should see your dentist so that they can fill the hole and keep any more from starting. They can use different kinds of materials to fill your cavities. Talk to your dentist about cavity fillings.
Share