How to Effectively Restore Your Smile Using Dental Fillings

In the advent of fast foods in the 1950s, people got used to eating high carbohydrate foods that are primarily greasy and salty. To make them a complete meal, you have to have a soft drink, which is usually high in sugar.

Couple the highly acidic foods (sugary foods) with poor oral hygiene, you will definitely find yourself sitting on our dentist’s chair getting dental fillings in Bolton, ON. 

Despite living in the most technologically advanced era, tooth decay is a huge problem across the world. If tooth decay is not caught early, you might end up spending more money, replacing damaged teeth.

This is why regularly visiting our Bolton dentist is very important. However, if you have cavities do not fret, we have teeth filling that can restore your smile in a matter of minutes.

What Are Dental Fillings and What Do They Do?

When you eat food, they are times when the food particles get stuck in the deep grooves on your teeth. Acidic foods (foods that have high sugar content) get stuck in your teeth, the bacteria present in your mouth find food that they can eat.

During the process of digestion, they produce acids, which corrode the enamel causing it to have holes, which we call caries or cavities. Of course, this is not a process that occurs overnight, but it takes several years before you start feeling the effects of the cavities.

Dental fillings in Bolton, ON, are used to repair tooth decay. Typically, the decayed part of your tooth is removed by our dentist. Then the hole that has remained is filled using teeth filling which seals the area. 

Fillings are made of various materials and aid in stopping the spread of the damage to your teeth.

Why Do You Need Dental Fillings?

Caries or cavities destroy the enamel, which is the hard outer covering of the tooth. This exposes the inner and softer parts of your teeth, including the nerves.

The hole will then become the perfect breeding ground for bacteria, which will continue the onslaught on your teeth.

This destroys the structural integrity of your teeth and in turn, impairs the function of your teeth. Other than that, you can be at risk of getting an abscess, which is a pocket filled with pus. This can be a severe infection and at times, even life-threatening.

What to Expect

Our Bolton dentist will use a local anesthetic to numb the area close to your damaged tooth. The anesthetic will numb the gums and the jaw. Immediately after the anesthesia kicks in, our dentist will drill to remove caries.

Then, the area is cleaned to remove the bacteria and the debris before the filling is placed. The filling you have chosen will be placed, and it will “fill” the hole left by the cavity.

Types of Dental Fillings

There are a variety of dental fillings that you can choose from based on the type of material that is used. The material that you use will be dependent on:

• Cost 
• History of allergic reactions to the materials
• Location of the dental filling
• The extent of the damage

The common fillings that are used include:

• Porcelain Fillings

Typically, porcelain fillings are made within our lab and then applied to your teeth. Many people use them because they can mimic the look and feel of your natural teeth. They are resistant to stains, which typically come about because of tobacco, coffee or tea.

• Amalgam Fillings

These fillings are made from silver and other materials. They are not aesthetically pleasing to some people because of their conspicuous color. Regardless of their color, they are a resistant and durable type of filling.

• Composite Resin Fillings

Composite fillings are made of resin. They are relatively an inexpensive option as compared to the others. Like porcelain fillings, they can match the color of your teeth. They are not as strong as the rest and tend to wear out faster than the other choices.

• Gold Fillings

They are considered to be the best filling because of their durability. They can last over two decades, and gum tissues generally tolerate them. You will need two visits before you can get the filling done.

If you are still wondering what to do when it comes to fillings, you can call our dentist at South Hill Dental, and we can gladly answer all your questions.