Cosmetic Fillings Help Improve Appearance And Your Teeth When Tooth Decay Is Present

At one point in your life your dentist may have told you that you had a cavity

. This may be alarming to you, as no one ever wants to be told they have a cavity and require a filling. However, with advancements in dentistry your dentist can treat your cavity (tooth decay) with a cosmetic filling-heating and hiding this unwanted complication. Cosmetic fillings are a successful natural-looking alternative to conventional silver-colored fillings-materials made from porcelain and composite resins, which are created to match your natural tooth enamel.

What is Tooth decay?

Tooth decay is the destruction of your tooth enamel, which is the hard, outer layer of your teeth. This can be a problem for anyone, with decay being more common in children. Plaque, which is a sticky film of bacteria, constantly forms on your teeth. When you eat or drink foods containing sugars, the bacteria in plaque produce acids that attack tooth enamel. The stickiness of the plaque aides in keeping the acids in contact with your teeth, which can break down the enamel over time causing cavities to form.

Although cavities are more common among children, changes that occur with aging also make cavities an adult problem. Recession of the gums away from the teeth, combined with an increased incidence of gum disease, can expose tooth roots to plaque. Tooth roots are covered with cementum, which is a softer tissue than enamel and makes them more susceptible to decay. It can also make the roots more sensitive to touch and to hot and cold. It is common for people over the age of 50 to develop tooth-root decay.

You can help prevent tooth decay (cavities) by following these tips:

*Brush at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste

*Floss daily to reach areas your toothbrush miss

*Eat nutritious and well-balanced meals with limited snacking

*Visit your dentist regularly for professional cleanings and examinations

Composite Fillings

Composite fillings are a mixture of resins and fine particles designed to mimic the color of your natural teeth. While they may not be as strong as dental amalgam, composite fillings provide a pleasing aesthetic alternative. These fillings are generally used on either the front or back teeth. Sometimes, composite resins need to be cemented, or bonded to a tooth to allow for better adhesion. This can allow your dentist to make a more conservative repair to your tooth, which means that less tooth structure is removed when preparing the tooth. When this happens, it may result in a smaller filling than that of a metal amalgam filling. It typically takes longer to place a composite filling than it does for a metal filling, but this is because composite fillings require the tooth to be kept clean and dry while the cavity is being filled.

Ionomers and Porcelain (Ceramic) Fillings

Similar to composite resins, ionomers are tooth-colored. Ionomers are made from a combination of various materials, including ground glass and acrylic resins. These are usually used for fillings near the gum line or tooth root, where biting pressure is not a factor. However, ionomers are more fragile than dental amalgam. These compounds release a small amount of fluoride in order to facilitate strengthened enamel in the affected area.

Additionally, Porcelain (ceramic) fillings are usually a combination of porcelain, glass powder and ceramic. Candidate for porcelain fillings are typically crowns, veneers, and onlays and inlays. Unlike ionomers, porcelain fillings are more durable but can become fractured if exposed to prolonged biting pressures.

Visit your cosmetic dentist in West Orange and Livingston for regular dental visits to ensure the health of your teeth. If your dentist finds a cavity, they will suggest the best option for restoring the health of your tooth.

by: Gen Wright

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