Dental Fillings

The many forms of dental fillings that we offer at our Clinic as a remedy for tooth decay are described below. Please consider the advantages and disadvantages of each choice; if you have any questions, we will be happy to personally assist you.

How do fillings work?

To repair a hole in the tooth enamel, a dentist will use a tooth filling. Cavities are caused by tooth decay, which must be treated to save the tooth, prevent infection, and restore your smile. Your dentist will clean the area after removing the tooth decay and place a dental filling material on the afflicted tooth. Your initial consultation at the clinic with a member of our staff will cover all of your tooth filling options in depth. The type of dental filling you may require depends on the size of the cavity present in the tooth enamel and dentin.

Various filler materials can be utilised, including:

Because composite fillings can be produced from a substance that can be utilised to match the natural colour of tooth enamel, they are commonly referred to as "white fillings." Composite fillings, which are comprised of a blend of glass and resin, are less recognisable and conspicuous visually than ceramic, gold, or amalgam fillings, despite not being as strong or long-lasting. This substance is ideal for tiny cavities.

Gold fillings are occasionally chosen for their functionality as well as their higher cost as compared to amalgam or composite fillings. But gold fillings aren't just for show. Gold fillings are exceptionally durable and strong, lasting between 10 and 30 years. Since current ceramics may match or even outperform gold fillings in terms of performance, we no longer frequently suggest them.

The most typical type of filling is amalgam, also referred to as "silver fillings," although it can be made of a variety of materials. Amalgam fillings, which are typically advised for filling cavities in teeth that frequently see a lot of stress or wear, like molars, are silver in colour and offer a great deal of lifespan and resilience. When dental amalgam is inserted or removed, a mercury vapour is released since it contains mercury. Mercury is a dangerous neurotoxin. Due to the aforementioned reasons, we shall not utilise any amalgam materials in our London clinic.

Cement can be applied to fix dental cavities in an emergency. However, they should be replaced with a composite or porcelain filling after a few weeks of temporary use.

Who should have fillings?

The majority of individuals are candidates for fillings since they are generally easy to do and offer teeth with cavities long-term protection. If you discover that your tooth enamel is cracked or fractured, you could need a filling. Additionally, dental decay may be present if a tooth is especially painful or sensitive, or if it has any new dark patches that you weren't previously aware of.

It is crucial that you visit the dentist for check-ups on a regular basis so they can examine your teeth and look for dental decay that could cause damage to the enamel and, ultimately, a cavity. Maintaining a strict oral hygiene regimen will help guard against bacteria and decay. Early detection of dental decay frequently results in less enamel damage and less need for fillings.

When possible, conserving teeth is our first clinical concern, therefore we will assess your best options and go over them with you in as much detail as you need.

What takes place at a dentist appointment for fillings?

Please be aware that tooth decay does not produce pain until it has advanced, therefore the sooner a cavity in a tooth can be found, the better off you'll be before deep-seated tooth rot takes hold. For this reason, we advise all of our patients to visit their dentist for a routine check-up twice a year.

First, you will have an initial consultation at our office from one of our dental specialists. The presence of tooth decay must be discovered in order to provide you with a thorough diagnostic and afterwards define the best dental care strategy for your unique situation. Using sophisticated lights to pinpoint its location in the mouth, we can find tooth rot. If a cavity is found, we employ cutting-edge X-ray equipment to determine how far the tooth decay has progressed and, consequently, how best to treat it at this stage.

The technique for filling a tooth at the Smile Hub Dental Clinic:

Before the surgery starts, a local anaesthetic is used to numb the entire area so that you experience no pain or discomfort. Plaque is removed from the teeth, and the tooth is completely cleansed with a fluoride-free pumice, if you haven't had a recent dental hygiene treatment. Small drills are used to find and extract the tooth decay, after which the area is smoothed in readiness for the dental filling. Since composite fillings require much less tooth material to be removed before application than silver or gold fillings do, we frequently prefer to utilise them. To assure your comfort and confidence, your dentist will examine your bite and the contour of the tooth that has been filled, smoothing where necessary.

To protect the tooth enamel, fluoride is typically applied right away after the surgery. All the information and guidance you require for your aftercare will be given to you by your dentist.