Dental Fillings

Have you been ignoring that tiny hole in your tooth, thinking it will heal itself?

Then, you might be putting your oral health in danger.

Minor tooth problems can get severe if not treated early.

Thankfully, you can get a tooth filling in Calgary that will prevent further damage to your tooth.

Here, we explain dental filling materials, whether you should get them, and how they can benefit your oral health.

Dental fillings are materials used to fill cavities in your teeth caused by dental caries.

When dentists treat tooth infections, they first drill out the decayed part of the tooth and then fill the cavity with a filling material.

Fillings restore normal tooth structure and function and prevent further decay and infection.

Silver fillings, or amalgam, consist of copper, zinc, tin, silver, and mercury.

Main pros:

• They are durable and long-lasting and can last for 10-15 years

• Resistant to wear and tear

• Able to withstand the forces of chewing

• Cheapest of all filling materials

• They contain mercury, which has raised concerns for some patients. Mercury can cause mercury poisoning and can be harmful to the body.

• Since they have a shiny grey appearance, they can be aesthetically unappealing.

• Silver amalgam can cause cracks or fractures in a tooth due to expansion and contraction.

Main drawbacks:

• They contain mercury, which has raised concerns for some patients. Mercury can cause mercury poisoning and can be harmful to the body.

• Since they have a shiny grey appearance, they can be aesthetically unappealing.

• Silver amalgam can cause cracks or fractures in a tooth due to expansion and contraction.

  
  

Tooth-colored fillings, primarily made of composite resin, are popular due to their natural appearance.

Main pros:

• They can be matched to the color of your teeth, making them less noticeable.

• Composite fillings are also more conservative, requiring less removal of tooth structure compared to silver fillings.

• They bond to tooth structure well, thus strengthening your natural tooth.

Main drawbacks:

• While they have improved in strength over the years, they may not be as durable as silver fillings and are more prone to chipping.

• The procedure of getting composite fillings is longer than that of silver amalgams.

• Composites are much more expensive than silver amalgams.
  
  

Ceramic fillings are a highly aesthetic and durable option.

Main pros:

• They are made of porcelain and are exceptionally strong

• They are much more resistant to staining compared to composites.

Main drawbacks:

• They are typically more expensive than composite or silver fillings.

​​​​​​​Glass ionomer fillings are another option, especially for fillings below the gumline or for children.

Main pros:

• They release fluoride, which helps prevent cavities.

Main drawbacks:

• They are less durable than composite or ceramic fillings.

Minor pain, sensitivity, and food stuck in small holes in your teeth can be signs of a shallow cavity.

These cavities are best treated with front tooth filling materials at our clinic.

Our fillings are perfect for teeth that have become worn, broken, or damaged over time.

Here’s how they can benefit you:

• Prevent further decay: By removing the decayed portion of your tooth and sealing the cavity, a filling stops the cavity from growing and prevents much more severe infections in the future.

• Restore tooth structure: Fillings strengthen your tooth and prevent it from becoming increasingly damaged or hollow.

• Repair broken teeth: Whether caused by an accident, sports injury or simply wear and tear, fillings can effectively repair broken teeth.

• Enhance your smile: Our tooth-colored fillings can improve the appearance of your teeth by masking stains and discoloration.

• Protect against potential cavities: Even tiny holes in your teeth can lead to cavities. Fillings seal these areas, preventing the buildup of bacteria and food particles.

If you are looking for dental filling near you, feel free to contact us.

Don’t ignore that minor toothache; get it treated at Galaxy Dental.

And if you have ignored it for too long and now have a painful, infected tooth, we can also help you.

Get a root canal treatment at our clinic to stop the infection and save your tooth from decay.

Before proceeding with any dental treatment, your dentist will usually take an X-ray to determine the extent of the problem and possible treatment options.

Here is a full breakdown of what happens when getting your X-ray done for a dental filling:

• Your dentist will numb the area with local anesthesia to make the process painless and comfortable.

• They will then drill out the decayed portions of your tooth.

• Once the decayed part is completely removed, your dentist fills the tooth using a chosen filling material. The whole process usually takes anywhere between 10-15 minutes.