What is a Filling?
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, he or she first removes the decayed tooth material, cleans the affected area, and then fills the cleaned out cavity with a filling material.
By closing off spaces where bacteria can enter, a filling also helps prevent further decay. Materials used for fillings include the most popular material - a composite resin (tooth-colored fillings), porcelain, gold, and although very rarely used nowadays - amalgam (an alloy of mercury, silver, copper, tin and sometimes zinc).
By closing off spaces where bacteria can enter, a filling also helps prevent further decay. Materials used for fillings include the most popular material - a composite resin (tooth-colored fillings), porcelain, gold, and although very rarely used nowadays - amalgam (an alloy of mercury, silver, copper, tin and sometimes zinc).
Watch the video below to learn more about dental restorations (fillings).
What happens during a filling, and how do I know that a filling will fix the problem I may be having?
What Happens When You get a Filling?
If your dentist decides to fill a cavity, he or she 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.
How Do I Know if I Need a Filling?
Only your dentist can detect whether you have a cavity that needs to be filled. During a checkup, your dentist will use a small mirror to examine the surfaces of each tooth.
Anything that looks abnormal will then be closely checked with special instruments. Your dentist may also X-ray your entire mouth or a section of it. The type of treatment your dentist chooses will depend on the extent of damage caused by decay
If your dentist decides to fill a cavity, he or she 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.
How Do I Know if I Need a Filling?
Only your dentist can detect whether you have a cavity that needs to be filled. During a checkup, your dentist will use a small mirror to examine the surfaces of each tooth.
Anything that looks abnormal will then be closely checked with special instruments. Your dentist may also X-ray your entire mouth or a section of it. The type of treatment your dentist chooses will depend on the extent of damage caused by decay