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Prevent Dental Filling From Falling Out
By Gardens Dental December 12, 2019 Blog , , , ,

How Do You Prevent A Dental Filling From Falling Out?

Do you have a dental filling that’s about to fall out? Are you searching for information about how to care for your dental filling? If so, please continue reading below.

Even though dental fillings are an effective treatment for tooth decay, they rarely last forever. However, there are steps you can take to prolong the longevity of the filling. This article provides information on how to prevent a dental filling from falling out.

  • The Importance Of Dental Fillings
  • Different Types Of Dental Fillings
  • How To Prevent A Dental Filling From Falling Out?

 

The Importance Of Dental Fillings

When tooth decay is left untreated for a long time, it will spread, passing the tooth enamel and into the soft parts of the tooth. Once the decay reaches the pulp of the tooth, it may be too late for a dental filling.

Extraction might be the only option under such circumstances. That’s why you need to fill a cavity before it becomes too large. Your dentist will remove the affected part of the tooth and fill the space with special dental material.

This material will help to reconstruct the affected tooth to its natural shape. Once completed, the filling will keep away bacteria and prevent further decay of the tooth.

That’s why you need to see a qualified dentist as soon as you know that there is a troublesome tooth in your mouth.

 

Different Types Of Dental Fillings

Your dentist will consider the size of the decay, location of the decay, and the cost of the process before recommending the best filling material for your decayed tooth.

There are many dental filling materials available today. Amalgam or silver fillings are a mix of different metals. This filling material is ideal to withstand heavy chewing forces. That’s why it’s ideal for molar teeth. The material is resistant to wear.

Your dentist will use amalgam material in areas that are hard to keep dry. This material is less expensive than most of the other filling materials while allergic reactions are also rare.

Gold fillings are made in the laboratory once the impression of the affected tooth is taken by your dentist. Gold is strong and durable is considered the best filling material. It will last for many years to come. However, gold is the most expensive filling material out there.

Porcelain fillings match your tooth colour. It is more resistant to staining compared to a composite material. However, the price of porcelain is much higher compared to silver and composite fillings.

Porcelain fillings aren’t suitable for large cavities because they chip away easily and are less durable.

 

How To Prevent A Dental Filling From Falling Out?

There are many steps to take to prevent a dental filling from falling out. Here are some steps to take in this regard.

  • Brush your teeth twice a day and floss accordingly. Use a fluoride toothpaste.
  • Limit your intake of sugary snacks and stick to healthy foods.
  • Rinse your mouth with a mouthwash to prevent the accumulation of bacteria.
  • Opt for water instead of acidic drinks like soda and juices.
  • Limit foods that stain the teeth such as tobacco, tea, and coffee.
  • Avoid chewing ice and biting hard foods.
  • See a dentist once a year for an annual check-up.

 

Are you searching for a reliable dental clinic in Taylors Lakes Australia for a dental implant procedure? If so, then look no further than Gardens Dental.

Gardens Dental offers a full array of dental services in Taylors Lakes and Caroline Springs to help you and your family maintain healthy teeth. 

To learn more about our services or make an appointment, please contact us today on (03) 9449 2626 or through our website. 

dentist treats cavity between molars
By Gardens Dental October 12, 2019 News , , , ,

How Does A Dentist Treat Cavities Between Molars?

Have you ever wondered how your dentist treats a cavity between molars? Detecting a cavity between molars is hard enough let alone treating them. Let’s take a look at how this is done in the article below.

A cavity between two teeth – whether between two molars or other teeth – is known as an interproximal cavity. If you have ever had a cavity, the chances are you have had an interproximal cavity.

Interproximal cavities form just like any other because of the wearing away of the enamel on one or more teeth. This will let the bacteria stick to the teeth and cause the cavity.

The only issue with cavities between molars is they are hard to prevent and cannot be easily detected. Good oral hygiene is essential to prevent such cavities. Let’s now take a look at the following in more detail:

  • Why are cavities between molars harder to prevent?
  • What are the symptoms of cavities between molars?
  • What should you do if you have a cavity between molars?
  • How does a dentist treat a cavity between molars?

Why Are Cavities Between Molars Harder To Prevent?

Cavities between molars or interproximal cavities can form even if you brush your teeth twice a day. No amount of brushing can effectively clean away the bacteria and plaque that can amass between two molars.

When you neglect regular flossing habits, plaque buildup can result in sneaky cavities between two molars. Even if you brush twice a day regularly, cavities can form between molars unless you floss between the teeth daily.

The cracks and crevices between two molars can easily amass plaque and bacteria that results in cavities over time. Regular flossing will clean these areas and prevent sneaky cavities from forming between molars.

What Are The Symptoms Of Cavities Between Molars?

Interproximal cavities or cavities between molars exhibit a few common symptoms. The symptoms can occur only after the cavity has reached the dentin or the second layer of tissue behind the enamel of the tooth.

You may experience tooth sensitivity to hot/cold foods and beverages and sweets. You may also have trouble chewing food because of pain or discomfort in the region. These are some of the most common symptoms of cavities between molars.

What Should You Do If You Have A Cavity Between Molars?

A cavity between two molars is usually diagnosed through bitewing x-rays performed by a qualified dentist. When detected at an early stage, interproximal cavities can be recalcified with fluoride gel – only if the cavity has reached halfway into the enamel of the tooth.

If the interproximal cavity is much deeper than that, your dentist may choose to fill the affected tooth. When a cavity between two molars goes undetected for too long, it can become quite severe over time.

There are many other treatment methods to deal with severe cavities between two molars.

How Does A Dentist Treat A Cavity Between Molars?

When the interproximal cavity is detected at an early stage, your dentist may fill it like any other cavity. A dental filling will prevent the bacteria from further infecting the inside of the molar.

Your dentist will first numb the area and use a dental instrument to remove the decayed part of the tooth. Once the entire decayed area of the tooth is removed, the cavity is cleaned to create space for filling.

A tooth-coloured filling will be used to give the teeth a more natural look. When the decay is severe, your dentist will use a dental crown or a root canal to repair the tooth.

If you need to visit a dentist for cavity treatment or any type of dental procedure, then look no further than Gardens Dental.

Gardens Dental offers a full array of dental services in Taylors Lakes and Caroline Springs to help you and your family maintain healthy teeth. 

To learn more about our services or make an appointment, please contact us today on (03) 9449 2626 or through our website. 

best dental fillings
By Gardens Dental September 5, 2019 News , , , ,

Dental Fillings Guide: Gold, Silver, Composite Resin, Ceramic, And More

Do you need a dental filling? What type of dental filling is best for you? There are a number of things to consider such as cost and durability. Please read below as we look at dental fillings in more detail.

Cavities can be caused by a sticky coating of germs called plaque that forms on the teeth and accumulate every day. Almost 96% of adults have at least one filling and the average is around 10, while teens have at least 2 decayed or filled teeth.

Fillings are a protective measure as unfilled cavities can grow bigger, creating pain caused by infection, fracture, and destruction of the tooth pulp, that eventually affects the nerves and finally leads to tooth loss.

Dentists use different materials to fill tooth cavities but recent concerns about the safety of certain materials have raised concerns over fillings and how much of a risk they pose to our health.

Beyond the type of material, dentists have other things to consider when determining which type of material will be suitable for a particular patient.

Not surprisingly cost is usually a major consideration followed by a suitable installation technique, durability, and aesthetics. In some cases, some patients may even need to replace existing fillings and may opt for a different material to what was originally used.

The two most commonly used materials for dental fillings which have also caused the most concern are silver amalgam and composite resin.

Silver Amalgam

Silver amalgam is a strong and durable alloy composed of silver, copper, tin, and mercury that will last anything from ten to fifteen years, will not corrode and is less expensive than composite fillings.

This type of filling material has been used for more than 160 years and since the 1840s dentists have disagreed over the safety of the metal mixture.

The formulation contains elemental mercury which, according to evidence-based research has been shown to cause health problems to humans at high exposure, including brain and kidney damage.

Although silver amalgam does release trace amounts of mercury, it has largely been agreed by dental health associations that the amount released does not pose any health risk.

Composite Resins

Composite resin fillings are popular as they can be closely matched to the colour of existing teeth. Because they chemically bond to the tooth structure they provide further support. Further to this, less tooth structure needs to be removed than with amalgam fillings.

However, they are less durable and last only five years compared to ten to fifteen years for amalgams and do not perform as well under pressure when chewing, particularly with larger cavities.

Composite resin fillings can also cost up to twice the amount of amalgam fillings.

Because they are fast replacing amalgams there have been concerns about the risk of resin-based materials made from bis-DMA (bisphenol A dimethacrylate) as BPA may be released continuously when the material starts to degrade.

In some clinical studies trace elements of BPA were found in the saliva of dental patients immediately after receiving a composite resin filling, but these were found to be well below acceptable levels and after a couple of hours was undetectable.

The overall conclusion is that there are no significant adverse effects from bis-GMA composites on the health of dental patients.

Cast Gold Fillings

Gold fillings last ten to fifteen years on average and sometimes longer. They are highly durable and strong and will not corrode. Some people find the aesthetics of gold more pleasing than silver amalgam, especially where it is more visible.

The biggest disadvantage is the high cost as a gold filling can cost up to ten times more than silver amalgam and it takes at least two visits to complete the placement.

Ceramics

Ceramic fillings are made of porcelain which has a higher resistance to stains than composite materials, however, they tend to be more abrasive. They are highly durable and will last up to fifteen years and longer, however, they can cost as much as gold fillings.

Glass Ionomer

This type of filling is made from a combination of acrylic and a specific type of glass material.

The cost is comparable to composite resin fillings but it is not as durable as it will last only five years or less due to its weaker construction, susceptibility to wear and tear, and being more prone to fracture.

This type of filling is most commonly used for young children or for cavities below the gum line.

Today there are many more materials than ever to choose from and the type you decide on will largely depend on factors such as the cost of the material, your dentist’s recommendation, your aesthetic preference, and your insurance coverage.

Your dentist will be able to discuss these issues with you and help you determine which type of filling will be best for you.

Do you suspect you have a cavity? Or do you have signs of wear on your fillings? If you need to visit the dentist for any type of dental procedure, then look no further than Gardens Dental.

Gardens Dental offers a full array of dental services in Taylors Lakes and Caroline Springs area to help you and your family maintain healthy teeth. 

To learn more about our services or make an appointment, please contact us today on (03) 9449 2626 or through our website.