However, the filling material has quite a few disadvantages that may make you think twice. It can cause teeth discoloration. Amalgam fillings are usually silver fillings that can get darker as time passes. This is the reason most people have them installed exclusively at the back of their mouth.
There are two main risks to getting fillings: infection and damage. Sometimes when you get a filling, it can pull away from the tooth which leaves a small space open. This space is an area where bacteria can get in and cause more tooth decay and infection. Cavity fillings can also break or fall out completely.
Although fillings do help by stopping the progress of tooth decay, some silver amalgam fillings may contribute to tooth discoloration or tarnishing, which can be a cosmetic concern if you are a patient considering this type of dental treatment.
A large filling can also weaken the tooth and, should this filling fail, it may be the case that the tooth is no longer able to support a cavity and a root canal treatment may be needed as a result or a crown may be needed in order to replace the filling.
Composite fillings fill the cavity and bond directly to the patients teeth. Because of this, the tooth and filling work together. This means that composite fillings do not make your teeth weaker, but they may make your teeth stronger.
Composite fillings are made from a resin designed to match the color of tooth enamel. They aren't as noticeable as metal fillings, but they are less durable. Composite fillings may cost between $150 to $300 for 1–2 teeth or $200 to $550 for 3 or more teeth.
Regular dental visits and good brushing and flossing habits can help you avoid cavities and tooth decay. Sealants and fluoride treatments can also assist to prevent a cavity from forming. Taking proper care of your mouth and teeth can help eliminate the need for a dental filling.
In general: amalgam fillings last 5 to 25 years. composite fillings last 5 to 15 years. gold fillings last 15 to 20 years.
If the seal between the filling and tooth enamel breaks down, decay-causing bacteria and food particles can get under the filling. These bacteria are hard to remove easily with a toothbrush. A person will then be at risk of developing additional decay in the tooth.
Tooth fillings are beneficial because they restore the original function of the tooth. By filling in the gaps and shaping the tooth in a natural way, you will have the ability the chew and bite with that tooth.
There is no single number of how many times you can have a filling replaced. Usually, we will stop replacing the dental filling after the hole becomes too large. Once you have more filling material than natural tooth material your tooth no longer holds enough strength.
Treatments for tooth decay
You'll probably need a filling if you have a hole (cavity) in your tooth. If tooth decay has reached the soft tissue (pulp) in the middle of your tooth, you may need root canal treatment. Sometimes the affected tooth may need to be removed (extraction).
While we can understand all of your reasons for feeling a little (or a lot) worried about having to come in for a dental filling to fix your tooth decay, our Saxonburg, PA team wants to be sure you remember something very important: There is, hands down, absolutely nothing to feel concerned about at all!
Fillings are not intended to last forever. The bond that holds the metal or composite resin in place will eventually weaken over time. This process may occur more quickly if patients grind their teeth at night. Fillings are often placed in molars where bruxism can cause significant damage.
#3 – They help prevent further decay
Dental fillings help stop the spread of any decay present in a tooth, improving one's overall oral health. Fillings also prevent the ability of decay to reenter the same area of an affected tooth.
The most recent research indicates that all fillings in current use are safe for patients. There are different reasons for getting different materials—but safety is not a concern for any of them.
You Have Old Metal Fillings – some younger readers may not remember when metal fillings were commonplace, but it wasn't so long ago. Those old metal fillings can discolor your teeth over time, causing them to look gray.
Composite (white/tooth-colored) filling.
A composite filling hardens immediately once a dentist puts a blue UV light on your tooth. You can usually eat as soon as you leave your dentist's office. However, your dentist may recommend waiting for at least 2 hours before chewing on the filling if you're still numb.
Yes. Just because a tooth has been filled does not mean that decay cannot still form afterward. Tooth decay starts from the outside, with bacteria turning into plaque, a sticky substance which sticks to your teeth. If this plaque is not brushed away, it turns to decay-causing tartar.
Dental Filling Costs
The dental filling cost ranges between $115 and $300 in Australia. If the filling cost is out of your budget, you can check to see if dental fillings cover your private insurance. The dental filling cost has several tangible factors linked to it. Let's look at what they are.
You Need To Get A Filling Even If You Don't Feel Pain Or Discomfort. The answer is “yes.” If you have a cavity, you need to have it filled as soon as possible, even if you don't feel pain or discomfort. In most cases, cavities do not cause any pain until they're very deep and large.
For the patient, a filling replacement will not feel any different from any other dental work. The local anesthetic ensures that you do not feel any pain during the procedure. After removing the old silver filling material, your dentist prepares the tooth for the new filling, onlay, or dental crown.
In general, adults develop an average of three cavities during their lifetimes. This means that the average adult has three or four fillings in their mouth. Some patients end up with ten or more fillings depending on how well they care for their teeth.
But now there is a new cavity treatment called silver diamine fluoride (SDF). SDF is an FDA-approved liquid used to treat cavities without an injection or drilling. This new treatment can be great for young children, special needs/medically compromised patients, or anyone fearful of dental treatment.
Yes. Your tooth will not be fully composed of your natural tissue any longer, which means that it's not quite as strong as it once was. However, that tooth will still be in pretty wonderful shape once the filling is placed and your oral health will be restored. So no, treated decay isn't something to feel upset over.