Repairing Cavities for a Healthy Smile
Dental fillings are used to fill cavities left by tooth decay, preventing further decay from spreading to other teeth. They also help alleviate pain or sensitivity caused by the cavity. If a cavity is left untreated, it can worsen and you can end up needing a root canal, or the tooth may need to be extracted.
While materials such as amalgam, gold, and porcelain can be used for fillings, at SKH Dentistry, we prefer to use composite resin fillings.
Composite resin fillings can easily be matched to the colour of your natural teeth, making them less noticeable in your mouth, They are also quick to apply, so you can have your filling completed in one appointment.
Signs You May Need a Dental Filling
Cavities form when sugars interact with bacteria on your teeth. Together, they form acid that dissolve your tooth's enamel. The following are some signs that you might need a filling:
Sensitivity to Hot & Cold: The decay in a tooth can expose its dentin (the layer just beneath the outer enamel) and, eventually, the nerves, making them more sensitive to temperature changes.
Pain When Chewing: Decay can weaken your tooth's structure, leading to discomfort when pressure is applied. This pain may indicate that the cavity has progressed and is affecting the deeper layers of the tooth.
Visible Holes in Teeth: As the decay eats away at the enamel, visible holes or pits can start to form. If left untreated, these holes can continue to grow and deepen, eventually leading to more serious dental issues.
Dental Filling Replacements
In some situations, patients may want to replace silver-coloured mercury amalgam fillings with composite, tooth-coloured fillings for improved aesthetics.
Composite fillings can offer a more natural look that blends with your natural teeth, providing a discreet solution to cavities. Composite fillings used to only be used on the front teeth, but their strength has improved as technology has advanced and they are now an option for the back teeth as well.
They can also bond to the teeth better than they used to, which provides more support and reduces the risk of future breaks.
Schedule an appointment with our dentist today to replace your silver-coloured mercury amalgam fillings with composite tooth-coloured fillings.