A cavity or decay is a damaged area on a tooth that has been broken down by acids, sugars, or bacteria. This is a permanent condition that will only get worse if not treated by our Suffolk Country dentist. The proper way to repair a cavity may be to remove the decay and fill the void with fillings.
Types of Dental Fillings
There are two different types of filling material available to repair your dental cavity. They include a tooth-colored composite material which is also known as resin or white fillings, and there are silver amalgam fillings. Both of these treatments have certain benefits and risks.
What are Tooth-Colored Fillings?
Composite fillings are made from a synthetic resin material that consists of ceramic or glass ionomers which are very strong and safe to use in the mouth.
What are Silver Fillings?
Amalgam fillings have been used for over 100 years in dentistry to restore decayed teeth. The silver-colored material consists of a mixture of mercury, silver, tin, and copper.
How Do The Two Filling Procedures Differ From Each Other?
First and foremost, before starting either procedure, our dentist will administer local anesthetic (numbing medication) to the area.
Prepping The Tooth
Next, we’ll proceed by removing the decayed portion of the tooth and shaping it to accept the filling.
For amalgams, undercuts in the tooth are necessary to help hold the filling in place, so our dentist will need to prep the tooth accordingly. Since composites are bonded in place, the prepping of the tooth is minimal and doesn’t consist of much more than just removing the decay, thus preserving more natural tooth structure which is ideally what we like to do because it’s less invasive.
Placing Composite Fillings
The composite filling procedure has a few more steps than amalgams do.
When placing a resin filling it’s very important that the tooth stays dry. The integrity of the materials used to place the filling will be compromised if the area gets wet. Moisture will cause your filling to debond prematurely. In order to prevent cross-contamination, we’ll place a rubber dam around your tooth. This allows us to isolate the tooth from the rest of your mouth and keep your saliva out of the way.
Once the cavity has been removed and your tooth is isolated, we’ll begin the process of placing your composite filling by applying a series of solutions to the tooth. First, we’ll use an etchant that roughens the surface microscopically, cleans the area, and opens the tooth’s tubules, all of which increase the retention of the resin. A desensitizer, like the kind used when placing silver fillings, may also be used in this case. Additionally, we’ll place a bond to the tooth which will form a sticky layer that allows the composite material to adhere better.
Now it’s time for the resin to be placed. Dispensed as a putty type of consistency, composite gives our Long Island dentist ample time to shape the filling as they please. Once satisfied with the look and fit, we’ll shine a special blue light over the area to set and harden the composite in seconds. For the final step, our dentist will trim, shape, and polish the restoration.
Placing Amalgam Fillings
Isolation isn’t necessary with silver fillings because the material is simply plugged into the hole and not bonded in place. However, our Suffolk County dentist may place some cotton around your cheeks and tongue to keep them out of the way. Since being in a wet environment doesn’t compromise the integrity of the amalgam material, this treatment option is great for people who don’t tolerate a rubber dam, young children who may have trouble keeping their mouth open, or teeth that are far back in the mouth where isolation isn’t possible.
Once the cavity has been removed and before placing the silver filling, our dentist may apply a desensitizer on the prepped area to help minimize any post-op sensitivity.
Amalgam comes in powder form within a small capsule that needs to be shaken aggressively for a few seconds with a special machine called a triturator. It mixes the material into a packable form.
Now that the amalgam is ready, our dentist will pack the material in your tooth and shape it will hand instruments.
Is One Type of Filling Better Than Another?
One filling material isn’t necessarily better than the other, but sometimes there are instances in which one kind would be preferred over the other.
Advantages of Silver Fillings
Silver fillings have been around for a long time and have proven to be an effective and long-term solution for repairing cavities. They tend to hold up better than composite in high-stress areas like back molars that have to withstand biting force and heavy chewing.
Additionally, amalgam fillings are sometimes more affordable than composites and your dental insurance benefits may pay a higher percentage toward this treatment than they would for tooth-colored restorations.
Advantages of White Fillings
Obviously, if appearance is a concern, tooth-colored fillings are a more natural-looking option than silver fillings. For instance, on a front tooth, you’ll definitely want a composite restoration. While on a back molar you may decide to go with a stronger amalgam since it won’t be visible.
Also, since composites don’t contain any metal alloy, and since they’re bonded in place, patients tend to experience less sensitivity from white fillings versus amalgams.
The minimally-invasive design makes them ideal since they bond to your tooth. When repairing smaller cavities, they are less-invasive to your tooth structure and preferred over metal fillings.
Additionally, the larger the filling, the more sensitivity there may be. Choosing resin will keep your post-op discomfort to a minimum.
Dental Fillings in Long Island
Sachem Dental Group is excited to be a part of your family’s comprehensive dental care. If it’s been a while since you’ve had a checkup and need to check for possible cavities, then give our Long Island dentists a call to schedule an examination. We’ll be by your side to get you smiling again!