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Cavities are inevitable, so you might be wondering, “Do I need fillings?” Sometimes, no matter how well you follow your dental hygiene routine of brushing and flossing, you still need them. 

Cavities are large holes in your tooth’s enamel. If left alone, they destroy the tooth and cause pain and discomfort. Sometimes, all that can be done is extract the whole tooth! This is when the dentist removes it, root and all. 

However, some cavities can be fixed with a filling!

Do You Need One?

Well, that depends on your symptoms. 

If you are experiencing toothache you might need a tooth filling. Pain is the number one indicator of a potential cavity rot; other signs include sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures. 

You may also need a filling if your teeth hurt when you eat sweet foods. Additionally, any throbbing pain when biting or chewing clearly indicates a problem. 

Don’t ignore any symptoms, as cavities spread pretty fast. The smaller the cavity is when you catch it, the more options you and your dentist have to fill and fix it! 

Teeth can get damaged in many other ways too. Using your teeth as tools (like opening a bottle or ripping open a package) can also cause a cavity. 

Saving Your Tooth

If your tooth is salvageable, a filling could save it from extraction and any further pain. 

A professional dentist can assess the need for a filling or an extraction. They will examine the tooth, and if necessary, take x-rays to evaluate precisely how bad the damage is. Not every cavity is viable for a filling. 

Remember, procedures like extractions and fillings can be costly, so having dental insurance in your back pocket can save you thousands of rands and teeth. Contact us at Affinity Dental and weigh all of your options!

But What Is A Filling?

A tooth filling is exactly what it sounds like. The procedure includes filling the cavity to stop it from spreading. It is a way to restore a tooth that has been damaged back to its normal function and shape instead of the patient having to go for an extraction. 

When the dentist performs a tooth filling, they remove the decayed section and clean the affected area. 

By closing off the holes where bacteria can enter, a filling also helps prevent further decay. 

In the olden days, fillings were created with metals like mercury that have long been deemed unsafe. Modern fillings are made from an assortment of materials such as gold; porcelain; silver amalgam or tooth-coloured materials. These are called composite resin fillings. 

According to 210Dental, tooth decay that causes cavity formation can be drilled out the affected portion of the tooth and a filling applied. This filling can last five years and upwards of a couple of decades.

Even the most minor holes in one’s tooth can benefit from being filled to stop the decay from spreading to the rest of your teeth. 

Even discoloured teeth can benefit from fillings. Grinding and using teeth to open things can cause discolouration and breaking of the tooth’s enamel. 

Damage to a tooth jeopardises its integrity, and if you can feel any holes or jagged, sharp edges on your teeth, you may need to visit your local dentist for a check-up to see if you could benefit from a filling or two!

Which Filling Type Is Best?

As mentioned before, there are many types of materials used in fillings and tooth reconstruction. 

The repair’s extent and potential allergies will determine what filling material will be used in your cavity. 

Each material has its pros and cons. Speak to your dentist about which filling material is best for you. 

Gold 

Some people prefer to use gold fillings as gum tissues tolerate them well. Gold fillings are custom-made and last more than 20 years. It is considered the best filling material as it is the most durable, especially as it will live in the mouth, which is very moist. It is costly, though. 

Porcelain Fillings 

Porcelain fillings are called inlays or onlays and are produced to order in a lab and bonded to the tooth and can be matched to the tooth’s colour and resist staining, unlike resins. A porcelain restoration covers most of the tooth and is just as expensive as gold.

Amalgam Fillings 

These are also known as silver fillings, are resistant to wear, and are relatively inexpensive. However, their dark colour is more noticeable than porcelain or composite restorations and is not usually used in prominent areas, such as front teeth.

Composite (plastic) Resins 

These are matched to be the same colour as your teeth. If you want a more natural filling look, go for resins. The ingredients are mixed and placed directly into the cavity to harden. However, resin composites wear out over time and become stained from coffee or tobacco. They last from 3 to 10 years.

So if you think that you might need a filling, get assessed by a dentist. If they determine that you actually do need one, speak to them about your various options and how they will affect your budget and lifestyle.