Most Americans will need a dental restoration (filling) at least once in their lives, but do you know what that means? How are white fillings different from metal ones? Are the metal ones safe? How long do they last? If you’ve ever wondered about dental restorations, this post is for you!
Fillings are used to repair and restore the structural damage caused by bacterial acids. When mouth bacteria feed on plaque and food residue, they excrete acids that leach minerals from our tooth enamel. When not identified and treated promptly, a patch of demineralized tooth enamel can develop into an actual hole (cavity). Since teeth have no way to heal themselves, the only way to stop the decay and repair the hole is with a dental filling.
Do you need a new or replacement filling? Call Chisholm Trail Smile Center to make an appointment with Duncan, Velma, and Rush Springs dentist, Dr. Matthew Bridges. Call us at 580-255-4880 to make an appointment.
The History of Fillings
For as long as bacteria have been creating holes in our teeth, man has been trying to fill and repair them. There is archaeological evidence of primitive fillings made from beeswax and other materials from as far back as 9,000 years ago. Metal amalgam fillings were invented England almost 200 years ago, and quickly became popular with dentists and patients who could afford to fix their teeth. Of course, these first fillings were often made with a high mercury content, so it took them a few decades to realize that mercury was not a safe material for fillings. Early fillings were often made from an amalgam of whatever metals were handy and available: tin, silver, mercury, copper, or gold.
Fillings Today
Nowadays, metal fillings are not as prevalent as tooth-colored composite fillings. Most metal fillings today are found in patients 35 or older and usually only in the teeth at the back of the mouth, where they are less noticeable. Dental composite fillings are equally durable and versatile, but have the added benefit of being more attractive.
What are the major differences between the two types of filling?
Composite Resin Fillings: are made from a micro-bonded combination of acrylic, silica, quartz and glass; last about 7-8 years; and may shrink from the tooth and leak as their lifespan ends.
Metal Amalgam Fillings: are made from a combination of silver, tin, copper, zinc, and mercury; last about 12 years; and may expand as they age and crack the tooth, if not replaced.
You can still get gold alloy fillings today, believe it or not. They are preferred by some patients because they have a much longer lifespan than typical metal amalgams (20 years or more). However, they are significantly more expensive and require dentists who have special training in using this material.
If you have metal fillings you would like to replace with tooth-colored fillings, call our office to schedule a visit. This is a very common procedure and can often be accomplished in a single appointment!
Are Fillings with Mercury Safe?
Todays metal fillings are composed of an amalgam of several metals, including a small amount of mercury. It has been determined by scientists and medical researchers that the mercury content is low enough and bound well enough to the other metals that it poses no health risks to patients. It simply has no way to get “free” to be absorbed by the body.
While some countries have banned the use of mercury in metal fillings, it is not due to the health risks to patients. Rather, they are concerned primarily with the environmental risks of improperly disposed waste materials. Countries without strict laws governing the removal of medical and dental waste (which would include mercury) must ensure that the toxic metal stays out of their sewage and environmental waste system.
To learn more about the research behind the decision to allow a small amount of mercury in fillings, read the American Dental Association’s statement on amalgam fillings.
The Process
Getting a filling is a pretty straightforward process, though it will vary somewhat depending on the size, depth, and location of the decay. The process involves:
- Taking X-rays to determine the size and dimensions of the cavity.
- Injecting an anesthetic to block the nerve if the cavity extends past the enamel and into the dentin or pulp.
- Treating the tooth; i.e., using a drill or laser to remove decayed tooth matter and bacteria.
- Cleaning and preparing the inside of the tooth.
- Filling the cavity with the material of your choice.
- Using a curing light to harden the material (composite resin only).
- Cleaning and polishing the restoration.
Teeth with cavities that extend into the inside of the tooth (the pulp chamber) require an additional step known as root canal therapy. This treatment removes all the living tissues from inside the tooth, such as nerves, blood vessels and connective tissues, to make sure the infection is removed. This is called endodontic treatment; endo means “inside” and dontic means “tooth”. If you require root canal therapy, the appointment may take a bit longer and requires a few extra steps.
Patients often experience some sensitivity in a tooth in the first few days after a filling. Avoid hot and cold beverages as your tooth gets used to the filling—but call us if you experience any pain that is severe or doesn’t go away after three days.
Do you have questions about dental fillings? Call Chisholm Trail Smile Center to learn more about your restorations. If you need a Duncan, Velma, or Rush Springs dentist, Dr. Bridges is your man! Call us at 580-255-4880 to make an appointment.
