Sometimes, if a teenager at last decides that he should visit a dentist and have a dental check up, he/she may become alarmed when the dentist tells the teen that there are some teeth  which are showing signs of decay, and some teeth cavities are present.

However, the teens alarm reduces when the dentist further tells her/him that the teeth do not need extracting, but can be repaired using a dental cavity filling.

Dental Filling Procedure.

The actual filling procedure is relatively simple – -

n  First the dentist will remove all of the decayed tooth material.

n  The whole of the affected area will then be cleaned out.

n  Then the clean, exposed cavity will be filled with a suitable material.

n  By the act of filling the cavity in the tooth, the entry of bacteria is prevented, reducing the risk of further decay to the tooth.

Tooth Cavity Filling Materials.

n  A Gold or Porcelain filling may be chosen.

n  An often used filling is made from a composite resin, especially for coloured fillings.

n  More usual is an amalgam material which is an alloy of Mercury, Silver, Copper, Tin, and occasionally Zinc.

When considering the type of material to be used for the filling the dentist will decide on the size of the repair needed, if the teen suffers any allergies, and the cost of the materials.

Types of Filling Material.

Gold Fillings. Many dentists consider this to be the best filling material. They can be individualized, are tolerated well by the gum tissue and are long lasting. But the material is expensive.

Amalgum Fillings. Because of the dark colour, this material is seldom used in visible areas like the front teeth. The amalgam is highly wear resistant and is inexpensive compared to the Gold filling.

Composite Fillings. This material is made of plastic, and is used when a more natural appearance is required since the plastic can be produced to match the persons teeth colour. Their lifespan is anything between 3 – m10 years, but they can easily be stained by tobacco, tea or coffee.

Porcelain Fillings. Again, they can be individualized in the laboratory and bonded to the tooth. They are resistant to staining and can be matched to tooth colour. A porcelain filling usually covers most of the tooth and are often called inlays or onlays. Like the Gold filling, they are expensive.

By using any of the above fillings, further tooth decay can be prevented, and its operation returned to its natural shape and functionability.

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