Fillings
Fillings are required to restore a tooth to the original shape when tooth structure had been lost due to dental decay, wear, or fracture. The tooth may present with varying degrees of sensitivity, and may experience pain with specific stimulants (e.g. hot/cold, chewing).
What is dental decay / dental caries?
Dental decay or dental caries is a process where tooth structure is weakened or lost due to a number of factors.
The most common way of decay progression is a result of acid by-products when bacteria in the mouth digests nutrition provided by dental plaque.
Therefore regular toothbrushing and flossing to remove plaque is so important to cut off the nutrition source for these bacteria, hence preventing dental decay.
How common is dental caries?
Dental caries is one of the most common and most prevalent diseases in the world.
It can start and progress without any warnings or symptoms, and when symptoms arise the tooth is usually significantly more compromised.
We recommend routine examinations at least every 6 to enable early detection of any dental decay. Treating the dental decay in its early stages, is far better than leaving the tooth at risk of larger problems.
Are 'white' tooth-coloured fillings available?
Absolutely! Tooth-coloured filling materials are constantly improving, and they are the material of choice for most of the fillings we do.
Tooth-coloured resins require less natural tooth preparation, and in some cases can even strengthen tooth structure.
Do all teeth with defects get filled?
Early decay lesions of teeth are often reversible.
In these cases, minerals have been lost from the dental enamel without a surface cavity. With good oral hygiene habits and a good diet, there is the potential to replenish the minerals in these areas, returning the enamel to full strength.
This process is made possible by early detection of dental decay lesions, and regular follow-up visits to ensure everything is progressing on the right track.