If you’re like most people, you’re going to need a filling at some point in your life. A filling will restore a tooth that has been damaged by decay. It will repair the tooth structure so that you can speak properly and chew your food correctly.
The Procedure:
Usually the dentist at Harmony Dental Care in Oshawa, ON will discover that you need a filling during one of your regular dental checkups or teeth cleanings. Sometimes, though, you may have booked an appointment because of symptoms of tooth decay. These symptoms can include toothache, sensitivity, and visible holes.
Once Harmony Dental Care has diagnosed you with having a cavity, you’ll be given local anesthetic. This will numb your mouth. Then the dentist will begin removing decay from your damaged tooth. Once the decay is gone, the space left over will be filled with a material of your choice.
Picking out the right material:
There are several different materials available to get fillings made from. We will help you pick out the right material. This can be determined by several factors including the area you need the filling at, the extent of the damage your tooth has suffered, whether you have any allergies, and what your budget is.
Amalgam
The most traditional material for fillings is amalgam. It is both a durable and affordable option. Though they remain common for people to choose, they are becoming less popular. They are silver in color and therefore are not typically used on any tooth that’s visible.
Composite
Composite fillings are also an affordable option. They match the color of the rest of your teeth and therefore are a fairly popular option. They are great for smaller cavities.
Porcelain
If you are looking for another tooth-colored option, you can choose porcelain. These fillings will last longer than the composite fillings and are actually quite stain-resistant. They are more expensive, however. Unlike amalgam and composite fillings, it will take two trips to our dentist near you at Harmony Dental Care to get this filling because the filling is created in a lab and then bonded onto your tooth.
Gold
Finally, there are gold fillings. They are the strongest available and can last more than twenty years. However, they tend to be less popular due to the cost. They are one of the more expensive options, running a similar price to porcelain. They are created in a lab as well, and then bonded onto your tooth.
