22. February 2019

8 Key Benefits Of Dental Fillings & The Truth Behind Them

Dental Fillings

Any decayed or damaged tooth may cause severe dental problems if left untreated. That's why it's essential to find ways to help treat your tooth problem before it's too late. Luckily, a new kind of dental fillings is now available to manage cavities effectively and with lasting results. Indeed, this type of tooth filling is a great option to help patients maintain their gorgeous smile.

 

What are dental fillings?

 

Tooth-colored fillings are a dental treatment made of either composite resin or porcelain material used to protect the teeth from further decay. The colored dental fillings' main component is ceramic composite unlike the previous dental fillings which are made of metal amalgam. Although both fillings have barely little difference regarding function and health benefits, the tooth-colored filling has a few unique advantages.

 

Benefits of dental fillings

 

Immediate results

The entire treatment using tooth-coloured fillings at Stoney Creek Family Dental is quick, easy, and painless. The whole procedure only takes less than an hour to treat two cavities effectively. During the operation, the dentist administers local anesthesia to desensitized the gums and the teeth in the treated area.

 

Looks aesthetically pleasing

Unlike gold fillings and silver amalgams, these new dental fillings complement the surrounding tooth structure quite well. It even blends so naturally that no one will notice that you had a cavity. Whether you're speaking to someone or just enjoying your day, all that others will see is your gorgeous smile.

 

A better option for dental health

Unlike in the past, metal amalgam fillings used to have traces of mercury in it. Although the mercury content in amalgam fillings are below toxic level, some patients have allergic reactions to metals. The tooth- filling material found in tooth-colored fillings does not contain mercury which most patients prefer nowadays. In addition, metal fillings tend to expand once the temperature rises slightly. This may also cause the teeth to crack or chip.

  

Highly- durable

Proper maintenance ensures that your teeth and your tooth-coloured fillings will last for more than a decade. That's why it's best to brush your teeth twice a day and floss daily. You should also have a dental exam and dental cleaning twice per year.  Furthermore, you should also avoid bad oral habits such as chewing on solid inedible objects such as fingernails or pens. It’s also best to avoid munching on hard candies as well as ice to protect your teeth from getting chipped.

 

Conserves more of your natural tooth

The material used in this type of dental fillings bonds well to the patient's teeth. It means that the dentist doesn't have to remove more of the tooth's natural structure to attach the filling. Thus, allowing the dentist to treat the cavity while keeping the patient’s natural tooth.

 

Doesn't stain the tooth

Silver amalgam metal fillings tend to change the color of the patient's teeth to a grayish tint as time passes by. Meanwhile, the colored tooth fillings retain the color of the teeth without causing any visible changes.

 

Helps bolster a tooth’s weakened structure

Plaque and decay potentially weaken the foundation of your tooth. That's why most dentists usually apply tooth fillings to give it additional support. Tooth-coloured fillings tend to bond well with the treated teeth. Thus, restoring the durability of the teeth completely. 

 

Restored confidence

Dentists are able to reconstruct a patient's teeth to have a beautiful appearance using tooth-colored fillings. Patients no longer have to worry about any odd-looking metal filling that's visible when they smile. They'll be more comfortable showing their teeth knowing that it looks beautiful and metal-free.

 

Dental fillings are one of the dental treatments available for you if you're looking to restore your smile. You may also explore other options to help restore the function of your damaged teeth. Don’t hesitate to ask the dentist about this so you can resolve your dental issue. It’s always best to ask an expert on dental fillings in London, Ontario to learn the best treatment for your needs. 

 

 

You’ve always wanted to undergo a teeth whitening procedure, however, your dentist tells you to have teeth bleaching instead. You’re becoming confused why you’re hearing two terms when they seem to have the same effect on your teeth. The truth is, there’s a distinctive gap between whitening and bleaching your teeth. They are both cosmetic dental treatments, however, one is  non-invasive and an affordable way to enhance your teeth’s color. There’s also laser teeth whitening that improves the shade of your teeth up to six times in less than an hour. Understanding both procedures will enlighten you in choosing the right treatment for your dental case.

Understanding teeth whitening and bleaching

The word "bleaching" refers to brightening your teeth that’s beyond their natural colour and shade. This refers to products that contain bleaching solution such as hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide. However, these need laser light in order to activate the bleaching process on the teeth. At Creative Dentistry, you can set a same day appointment for in-office teeth bleaching, or opt for take home-bleaching kits.

 

Meanwhile, teeth whitening means removing dirt, stains and debris to restore the colour of the teeth's surface. This means that any product that you use to clean your teeth, like toothpaste, is considered a whitener. Surprisingly, there are ingredients found in your kitchen that you can use to naturally whiten your teeth. Examples of these are baking soda, apple cider vinegar, strawberries, apples, celery, and pineapples.  

 

Suffice to say, in-office, at-home whitening kits and natural ingredients are effective ways to brighten your smile. The duration for you to achieve the desired result is one big factor in choosing or following the right treatment. More importantly, you have to determine what causes teeth stains so you’re confident that you’re doing the right approach to resolve it.

What causes teeth stains?

Age

There is a direct correlation of your tooth colour to your age. Over the years, your teeth will darken as a result of wear and tear, as well as stain accumulation. When a patient decides to have laser teeth whitening during his adolescent stage, the result will be drastic. This is because their permanent teeth have just erupted and there’s no accumulation of stains yet.

Initial tooth colour

Genetically, the shade of your teeth ranges from yellow-brownish to greenish-grey. However, this initial shade intensifies over the years. Yellow-brown are generally more responsive to whitening than a tooth with a green-grey shade.

Thickness and translucency

Your teeth's translucency and thickness becomes more pronounced as you age. While all teeth show some translucency, those that are opaque and thick benefit more with teeth whitening. This is because they appear lighter in colour, show more sparkle and are very responsive to the treatment.

 

If your teeth are thin and more transparent, this may indicate that it has less of the pigment necessary for bleaching. The transparency of the tooth is more prominent with most patient's front teeth. According to most cosmetic dentists, the transparency of the tooth is the only condition that cannot be corrected with any form of whitening procedure.

Smoking

The habit of smoking is dangerous to your overall health. Aside from its negative effects to your health, cigarettes also contain nicotine which leaves brownish deposits on your teeth. This leads to a deep teeth discolouration.


Knowing these common causes of tooth discolouration will encourage you to avoid habits that may lead to teeth stains. While laser teeth whitening is an optimal solution to brighten your smile instantly, prevention is always a better option. In some cases, severe tooth discolouration may not be reversible. However, there’s no need to despair as other dental treatments such as veneers and dental crowns are available to restore your smile. Visit Creative Dentistry to know more about teeth whitening in London, Ontario.