Dental fillings are very important to prevent the loss of teeth in the mouth and to ensure the continuity of functions such as chewing, biting and speaking.
The type of fillings applied in the treatment of caries, fractures or cracks varies according to the person's request and allergenicity. Although there may be some regional sensitivity at the end of the procedure, with an effective filling treatment, intraoral problems are eliminated, and the integrity of the mouth is preserved visually.
Why is Tooth Filling Done?
The main purpose of dental filling is to restore decayed, broken and cracked teeth in the mouth. Dental fillings applied using various filling materials prevent the deformed tooth tissue from going deeper and causing tooth loss. After dental filling treatment, which is performed by filling the decay and infection in the area after cleaning, the tooth is restored to its former appearance and function. Thus, eating, chewing and speaking problems are eliminated.
How is Tooth Filling Done?
In dental filling intervention, the application area must first be thoroughly cleaned. For this purpose, the dentist carves out the tooth decay and cleans the tooth of decay and other residues. Since the patient is given local anesthesia during the procedure, no pain or soreness is felt.
After the cleaning process, the cavity formed in the tooth must be filled with filling material and this filling material is determined according to the patient's preference. The cavity in the mouth is filled using the selected filling material
During this process, the patient is asked to clench his/her teeth and test the height differences in order to place the filling in the correct position. When necessary, the filling tip is filed down to ensure harmony with intraoral comfort.
After the procedure, eating activities should be restricted for the period recommended by the dentist to alleviate regional sensitivity. It is also recommended not to consume extremely cold and hot foods and drinks, especially in the first few days. The recommendations to be applied at this stage are determined according to the preferred filling and the level of sensitivity in the patient.
Types of Dental Fillings
Dental fillings are basically divided into 3 types. It is a great advantage to have different material options, especially for those who are allergic to various substances. Filling types are as follows:
Amalgam Filling
Amalgam filling, which is a mixture of mercury, tin, copper and silver, is usually used in the back teeth because of its gray metallic color. Highly resistant to harsh forces such as chewing and pressure, amalgam offers many years of use and is a cost-effective filling type. It is not preferred by people with aesthetic concerns, and is also not recommended for those with mercury allergies.
Composite Filling
Composite filling, also known as white filling, is obtained from a plastic mixture of silicone particles. Since it is white in color, it provides visual protection of intraoral harmony and is easily applied to the front and back teeth. Composite fillings, which are more costly than amalgam fillings, are also among the high-strength filling types.
Porcelain Filling
Porcelain filling, which has the most aesthetic appearance among all filling types, has a color very close to the natural tooth color. In the porcelain filling process, which is usually completed in 2 sessions, the patient's intraoral measurement is first taken and a personalized porcelain filling is expected to be made in the laboratory environment. At the end of the first session, the patient is fitted with a temporary filling, and in the next session, the prepared porcelain filling is placed in the intraoral position.
