Although fillings can be pretty common, Dr. Mark Connolly never takes for granted the special needs of his patients. Our dental patients come from all over middle TN to our Murfreesboro, TN location for fillings and other dental work. Some patients may have certain allergies or other circumstances which may not allow for certain types of fillings or may require alternative options. Dr. Connolly carefully examines each of his patients anything that looks abnormal will then be closely checked with special instruments. He may also X-ray your entire mouth or a section of it. The type of treatment he chooses will depend on the extent of damage caused by decay. Composite (tooth colored) fillings are used to repair cracked, fractured, and decaying teeth. The damaged or decayed part of a tooth will be removed before being repaired with a composite filling. Composite fillings are a semi-permanent solution and may have to be replaced in the future. Composite fillings are usually placed in one appointment. While the tooth is numb, decay will be removed as necessary. From there, a filling is placed.
What is a Filling?
A filling is a way to restore a tooth damaged by decay back to its normal function and shape. When a dentist gives you a filling, they will first remove the decayed tooth material, clean the affected area, and then fill the cleaned out cavity with a filling material.
Reasons for a filling include:
- Chipped teeth
- Closing a gap between two teeth
- Cracked or broken teeth
- Decayed teeth
- Worn teeth
By closing off spaces where bacteria can enter, a filling also helps prevent further tooth decay.
Which Type of Filling is Best?
No one type of filling is best for everyone. What’s right for you will be determined by the extent of the repair, whether you have allergies to certain materials, where in your mouth the filling is needed, and the cost. Considerations for different materials include:
- Gold fillings are made to order in a laboratory and then cemented into place. Gold inlays are well tolerated by gum tissues, and may last more than 20 years. For these reasons, many authorities consider gold the best filling material. However, it is often the most expensive choice and requires multiple visits.
- Amalgam (silver) fillings are resistant to wear and relatively inexpensive. However, due to their dark color, they are more noticeable than porcelain or composite restorations and are not usually used in very visible areas, such as front teeth.
- Composite (plastic) resins are matched to be the same color as your teeth and therefore used where a natural appearance is desired. The ingredients are mixed and placed directly into the cavity, where they harden. Composites may not be the ideal material for large fillings as they may chip or wear over time. They can also become stained from coffee, tea or tobacco, and do not last as long as other types of fillings generally from three to 10 years.
- Porcelain fillings are called inlays or onlays and are produced to order in a lab and then bonded to the tooth. They can be matched to the color of the tooth and resist staining. A porcelain restoration generally covers most of the tooth. Their cost is similar to gold.
If Dr. Connolly decides to fill a cavity, he will first remove the decay and clean the affected area. The cleaned-out cavity will then be filled with any of the variety of materials described above. Only your dentist can detect whether you have a cavity that needs to be filled. During a checkup, Dr. Connolly will use a small mirror to examine the surfaces of each tooth.
