Restorative Disease
Welcome to the Dentist Directory Patient Information Center. The information presented is intended to educate the general public on common dental topics.
Silver fillings, otherwise known as Amalgams, are an alloy of several metals (Silver, Zinc, Tin etc.) and Mercury. Once mixed, they make up dental amalgam. This restoration has been used successively for many, many years and has stood the test of time. Periodically, reports are generated about the possibility of mercury toxicity from old existing silver fillings. To date, it is the opinion of the American Dental Association that there is no substantial proof that dental amalgam poses any threat to the safety of the dental public. Initially, the decayed tooth is excavated and all the decay is removed.
The tooth is then shaped in a specific manner in order to accept a silver filling.
Finally, a band is placed around your tooth and the amalgam is condensed into the prepared tooth. The final filling is then carved and adjusted to your bite.
Once placed, it takes almost two (2) weeks for your new filling to become fully hardened. You may, however, safely chew on it after twenty-four (24) hours. But, please, chew carefully!
New silver fillings can be sensitive to hot and cold liquids and other foods for the first four to six weeks or in some special cases, even longer. If the sensitivity should continue for an extended period of time or if the discomfort is extreme, call our office so that he can evaluate the situation and prescribe the appropriate therapy.
Sometimes, due to the effects of the local anesthesia, it is quite difficult to make sure that your bite is exactly right. If you feel any discomfort in chewing, call our office. A minor adjustment is usually all it takes to make you comfortable. Don’t wait too long! Teeth can become quite sensitive if the bite is “high ", and will cause a tooth ache. You can generate in excess of 40,000 pounds per square inch when chewing on your back teeth. Fillings which have not had the appropriate amount of time to harden, or are “high ", cannot stand this kind of pressure and may break.
White Fillings
In the past, teeth were most commonly repaired with amalgam (silver) fillings or gold restorations. Thanks to advances in modern dental materials and techniques, teeth can be restored with a more aesthetic and natural appearance. There are different types of cosmetic fillings currently available. The type used will depend on the location of the tooth and the amount of tooth structure that needs to be repaired.
Direct Composite
The most simple form of ‘white filling’ is technically called a Composite or Resin. It is made up of a composite quartz resin and usually contains some sort of light sensitive agent. These light cured composites are extremely cosmetic and most often bonded into place in one appointment. For this reason, they are often referred to as "bonding". They can be used in both the front of the mouth as well as in your back teeth. These materials come in a variety of shades so that they will match the color of your own teeth. Some of these composite materials have been specifically designed to actually withstand the incredible forces you can exert when chewing on your back teeth.
In order to bond a filling material to your tooth it is first necessary to remove decay, prepare the tooth and then to condition the enamel and dentin. Once conditioned, a thin resin is applied which bonds to the etched surface. The bond strength of these fillings is incredible. Today we can bond plastics and even amalgam (silver fillings) to your teeth. Bonding increases the strength of these restorations far beyond those of only a short time ago.
After placement, composites are hardened by shining an intense light on them for a specified period of time, usually around 10 seconds. Since we tend to look at this light all the time (many times a day) it is necessary for us to protect our eyes from it. It is not necessary for us to protect your eyes since you look at this light only once in a while. However, it is probably a good idea for you not to look directly into the light anyway. An ounce of prevention is indeed, worth a pound of cure!
We are constantly asked the same question, “When can I eat?". These fillings are instantly hardened by the light. Your teeth may experience some degree of temperature sensitivity for a few days to a week. If it does not disappear within that period of time, contact our office.
Sometimes, due to the effects of the local anesthesia, it is quite difficult to make sure that your bite is exactly right. If you feel any discomfort in chewing, call our office. A minor adjustment is usually all it takes to make you comfortable. Don’t wait too long! Teeth can become quite sensitive if the bite is “high ", and will cause a tooth ache. You can generate in excess of 40,000 pounds per square inch when chewing on your back teeth. Fillings which have not had the appropriate amount of time to harden, or are “high ", cannot stand this kind of pressure and may break.
Indirect Composite/Porcelain Inlay or Onlay
The other type of ‘white filling’ is called a Composite or Porcelain Inlay/Onlay. These fillings are usually placed in back teeth when esthetics is of utmost concern. In order to increase their strength and longevity, they are fabricated then bonded into position in the office. This is a one visit procedure rather than the dreaded two visits required at other offices. However, when it comes to strength and cosmetics, the extra time and expense is well worth it! I hope that you now understand a little bit more about white fillings.
The same technology is used to “bond” a Porcelain Inlay/Onlay to your tooth as is used with a Direct Composite technique.