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Fillings
There are different options to fill or restore decayed teeth. Some of the options are:
- Silver Amalgam Fillings
- Tooth Coloured Filling (Composite Fillings)
- Inlays
- Onlays
Silver Amalgam Fillings
Amalgam fillings (silver) are a mixture of different metals such as 65% silver, 6% copper,2% zinc and 25% tin bound with elemental mercury. Trituration is the process of mixing these alloys together with mercury. The mercury makes up between 45-50% of the mixture and acts as glue that binds these metals into a hard stable, and safe substance that can last for decades.
These fillings usually last 12 years or longer.
There is an increased risk of tooth fracture in teeth with large silver mercury fillings. Large (silver mercury) fillings can let the tooth flex beyond the breaking point and tend to fracture. Higher the forces on the tooth (bite problems), the higher the risk. Always consider protecting large old silver mercury fillings with crowns, before the teeth can fracture.
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Tooth Coloured Filling
A composite resin filling (white filling) is:
- mercury free
- made of a tooth colored plastic mixture filled with glass particles
- used for restoring decay
- used for cosmetic improvements
The advantages of white fillings are:
- Composite filling integrates with the tooth...it doesn't weaken the tooth as a silver filling does.
- Secondary decay is easier to spot beneath tooth colored fillings.
- If damaged, they can be easily fixed.
- Environmentally safe-no hazardous metal wastes to dispose of and no risk of mercury allergy.
- Allowing us to fix smaller cavities.
- You don't have to wait till a cavity gets "big enough to fill".
- In some cases we can do an almost microscopic filling just when it starts by using air abrasion instead of the drill. These are often done without anesthetic if we catch them early enough.
- They are a more natural, attractive choice.
- Composites bond to the tooth to support the remaining tooth to help prevent breakage.
- Composite insulate the tooth from excessive temperature changes.
- Composites (white fillings) last about 8 years with a range of 7-10 years.
How Are They Placed?
The decayed portions of the the tooth must be removed which leaves a hole that needs to be filled to restore the tooth to its original form and function.
The tooth is prepared and etched with a mild acid solution.
Than the composite is placed in layers, using a light specialized to harden each layer.
When the process is done the filling will be shaped to fit the tooth.
Over the last three decades the emphasis in fillings has widely shifted towards tooth coloured fillings, namely composite restorations. Gone are the days when unsightly silver fillings will be placed on the teeth.
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