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Real Dentistry Explain Different Types of Fillings

Wednesday 29 May 2019, 8:20PM

By Beckie Wright

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One of the major reasons that you need to have fillings is because of tooth decay or cavities, which may or may not be painful. This leaves surfaces vulnerable to further attack on the tooth that can reach the pulp and require more extensive surgery like root canal treatment or extraction.

In order to prevent further decay, the tooth needs to have the cavities removed and restored with a filling material. This is usually done in a single sitting, depending on the number of teeth that need to be restored. At Real Dentistry they offer amalgam, gold inlay/onlay or composite fillings.

One of the oldest and most reliable materials used for dental fillings, amalgam or ‘silver filling’, has a very good track record as a restorative material. While some patients are concerned about the mercury content of this material, New Zealand Dental Association and scientific studies have shown no harmful effects of mercury used in amalgam. However, because of the advancements in restorative material science, other materials have been developed that have similar properties to amalgam and are ‘tooth coloured’. Therefore this practice rarely uses dental amalgam and, if so, for very specific cases.

Gold inlay is a filling that is crafted in the dental lab and is made to fit precisely within the tooth. It is has the advantage of strength and durability. While it is one of the best restorations, it is also one of the most expensive.

Composite dental fillings (white fillings) are by far the most popular method to restore decayed teeth. After removing the decay on the tooth, white filling is placed inside the tooth and hardened using a curing light. They have natural tooth colour appearance, show excellent strength and durability that is comparable to amalgam.

The experienced team at Real Dentistry are happy to discuss your dental concerns and recommend the ideal treatment for your situation and budget. The options available to patients are now safer, easier, and more effective than ever. They can create natural and aesthetically pleasing solutions to your damaged or broken teeth, so for more information on family dentistry, restorative dentistry and tooth filling please go to www.realdentistry.co.nz .