It is a specialty that carries out the diagnosis, treatment and follow-up of all diseases or existing aesthetic complaints that are related to dental solid tissues, caused by bacteria or without bacteria. Restorative dentistry operates in the fields of caries science, preventive dentistry and aesthetic or cosmetic dentistry. It is a specialty that carries out the diagnosis, treatment and follow-up of all diseases or existing aesthetic complaints that are related to dental solid tissues, caused by bacteria or without bacteria.
What Are Tooth Filling Materials?
There are 2 types of filling materials used in dental fillings. These are,
- Amalgam filling
- These are composite fillings.
What is Amalgam Filling?
Amalgam fillings are popularly known as gray fillings. Amalgam fillings consist of a special metal alloy. It contains some various metals such as mercury, silver, copper.
What is Composite Filling?
Composite filling is popularly known as white filling. Composite fillings are tooth-colored fillings made of a special alloy. This filler is a kind of plastic, which is a mixture of various substances. However, this plastic is a plastic that is compatible with the tooth and is durable.
Why and How Is Tooth Filling Done?
Tooth filling is made to clean caries. Because the bacteria that cause caries can populate in decayed teeth, go down to the pulp and spread to other teeth. For this reason, the decayed dead tooth spots should be cleared from the healthy spots of the tooth. Tooth filling is done briefly as follows,
- The teeth and gingiva to be filled are numbed by local anesthesia.
- Teeth are carved to get rid of cavities and dead spots, and all diseased, decayed spots are removed.
- The spots up to the nerve endings are also checked and cleaned.
- After appropriate checks are conducted, the cavity part of the tooth is filled with composite or amalgam filling. The filling process is completed this way.
Which Should be Preferred: Amalgam Filling or Composite Filling?
The answer to this question depends on the patient. Because although the type of filling that will be suitable for your tooth will be stated by the doctor, the choice is up to the patient. Both filling types have their own advantages and disadvantages. Your doctor will inform you about these issues and will tell you the most appropriate type of filling according to your lifestyle, usage style and health condition of your teeth.
To briefly explain, the advantages and disadvantages of amalgam and composite fillings are as follows:
- Amalgam fillings are low-cost fillings. These are solid as they are metal alloys.
- Composite fillings are slightly more costly than amalgam fillings, however, composite fillings look more aesthetic since they are tooth-colored.
- The disadvantage of amalgam filling is that it does not protect the teeth for life and can cause tooth sensitivity over time.
- Composite fillings protect teeth against heat and cold penetration. They do not cause tooth sensitivity.
- Disadvantage of composite fillings is that they are more costly than amalgam fillings.
- Composite fillings are applied in layers, and a special placement and fixation process is applied after each layer. In this way, decayed parts of the tooth are supported from the inside out, and the teeth are strengthened against cracks and breaks.
Do Dental Fillings Worn Out Over Time?
Dental fillings can wear out to some extent over many years with the chewing movement. Sometimes, the surface spots on the upper part can be eroded and spilled. In such cases, the solution is to consult a doctor. After the examination, worn fillings can be completed or the filling material can be renewed. This renewal process is done by carving out the filling material and placing a new filler in the same place.
Is There an Age Limit for Tooth Filling?
There is no age limit for tooth filling. Caries is a dental problem that can also be experienced in children. The solution to this problem does not consist of stages with very serious risks. Therefore, there is no age limit for tooth filling.
Is Tooth Filling Suitable for Pregnant Women?
Dental filling can also be applied to pregnant women. However, some precautions are taken. The primary precaution is the pregnancy calendar of the expectant mother. In other words, the filling process can be performed at a certain time interval during the pregnancy. This interval is the first 4th and 7th months of pregnancy. Because the baby’s vital organs begin to form in the first 3 months. From the seventh month onwards, the belly of the pregnant woman grows and the interventions cannot be carried out easily. The expectant mother can experience pain due to tightening herself. For this reason, tooth filling can be done when the gynecologist of the expectant mother deems it appropriate.
Why Do Teeth Decay During Pregnancy?
When women become pregnant, the body enters into an unaccustomed tempo, and works to create and develop another living thing from its own body. While doing this, it uses its own vitamins, proteins, minerals and cells and building blocks. For this reason, if the mother’s dental health is not very good, the teeth will rot because the elements that are divided during pregnancy and are important for dental health are insufficient for the mother. For this reason, as well as paying attention to nutrition for the health and development of the baby during pregnancy, the expectant mother should also be fed consciously for her own health and teeth. For this, a correct nutrition program and certain vitamin supplements can be used.
