Fillings
Tooth-coloured fillings like composites are a great alternative to silver amalgams as they are less invasive, require less removal of tooth structure and Mercury-free. In addition, the colour of the filling blends naturally with your smile’s natural colour. Early treatment of the cavity is important because active decay will only expand further into the tooth and adjacent teeth and cause further problems.
Early detection and treatment of dental decay once diagnosed by the dentist allows you to preserve tooth structure and save costs. If you suspect that one of your teeth has a cavity, we encourage you to book a checkup to have it examined as soon as possible
Symptoms of Tooth Decay
Some cavities never hurt, even if they have spread into the pulp chambers of the teeth. However, it is common you’ll notice symptoms like:
- Visible hole or black spot
- Roughness on the tooth
- Sharp sensation from a specific tooth when taking cold foods/beverage
- Discomfort when you chew
Small cavities may not be obvious, therefore the dentist will usually find them during your regular checkup or with dental x-rays. As decay is actually a bacterial infection inside our tooth, the best way to treat it is to remove the damaged structure and fill in the void with a filling material.
Composite Fillings
These are the latest kind of high-quality filling material that bonds closely your enamel thus creating a tight-seal. They blend in with your smile because they are closely matched to the shade of your teeth and then set in place. As the filling material comes in shades of white, it doesn’t look very obvious and it makes it easier to restore teeth anywhere is your mouth.
You can consider replacing your older silver fillings with tooth coloured composite fillings, as they are mercury-free.
Benefits For Your Teeth
Traditional silver fillings require a cut-out area for them to be wedged inside, therefore healthy tooth structure has to be removed unnecessarily. In contrast with composite fillings, we only have to remove the decayed part of your tooth.
The restoration is smaller as it adheres closely with enamel, as compared if we
treated the cavity with a metal filling.
What To Expect
Dental fillings is a routine procedure that is done numerous times a day in a dental office and are often predictably completed with maximum comfort. We will numb the area to be treated so you won’t feel any pain except a slight pressure during the decay removal process. The void is then smoothened out with a bonding agent which helps create a tight seal with the composite material. Finally it is shaped into place and cure with a bright light. After which you’ll have to avoid eating in that side of your mouth for an hour.
Concerned About A Cavity?
Regular dental checks are recommended before a small filling becomes a root canal or crown. Contact Kent Dental Works clinic today for fillings
Fillings & X-rays
Time is of the essence when an accident or trauma dislodges a tooth out of its socket. First check if the tooth came out in one whole piece or in fragments. Avulsed tooth comes out whole with the crown and root intact. Rinse the whole tooth in warm water to remove debris and dirt. Avoid touching the root as much as possible. Keep the tooth in milk or inside the cheek to keep it moist in saliva. Rush the injured person and the tooth to the nearest dental clinic. Ideally, the tooth will be implanted and splinted with a wire to adjacent teeth for a period of time.
Check the internet for the nearest available dentist. If you still can’t get an appointment, you can take some steps to ease the toothache. Rinse your mouth with warm salt water, gently brush and floss to remove any trapped food debris. Take an over the counter painkiller such as Paracetamol to soothe the pain. Make an appointment to see the dentist even if the pain resolves. Without proper care the pain could recur or worsen. When your permanent or temporary crown dislodges out, keep the area clean by rinsing and gently brushing the area. Avoid leaving the crown out for more than a few days as teeth can shift, making it difficult or impossible to re-cement back the crown later on. If the tooth is painful, apply some toothpaste inside the crown and gently fit it back into place.
When a tooth is lost, a series of events can start to happen. Not only chewing on the affected side becomes difficult, but over time remaining teeth can tilt and erupt into the space, causing shifting of teeth. Depending on the location and condition of the missing tooth, replacement options include a dental implant, a bridge or a partial denture. If you would like more information do schedule a consultation so we can offer the best advise on your situation.
