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Fillings
What is it?
A dental filling is a type of restorative dentistry treatment. It is used to restore a spot on your tooth where acid has eroded the enamel and left a void of decay. In order to prevent the spread of the decay, the decay is removed and the cavity is filled with either an amalgam or composite filling. Our dentists will recommend the most appropriate type of filling for your tooth based on several factors, including the size, shape and location of the filling needed.
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Amalgam and Composite are the most commonly used filling materials. There are pros and cons to each.
Composite Fillings
PRO: Aesthetically pleasing, mercury-free, and bonded to the tooth
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CON: Sensitive to temperature, made of a variety of materials, and can fail if moisture is present at placement
Amalgam Fillings
PRO: Strong, long lasting, and less costly
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CON: Very apparent and contain mercury
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Sometimes one of these materials works better than the other in certain situations. For example, if there is not much tooth structure left, the composite would be the best choice as it adheres to the tooth. Sometimes, if the cavity extends under the gum where there is a good chance that there will be moisture present, then amalgam would be the better choice. Our dentists do not advocate one material over the other. We are here to do our best to educate you and help you choose the right dental treatment for you.
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Fillings are used for minor tooth decay situations; depending on the severity of the tooth deterioration, your dentist may recommend additional procedures, which will be discussed in depth with you during your exam.
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