Effective Dental Fillings to Enhance the Integrity of Tooth Structure in Columbia SC

Dental fillings serve as restorative substances utilized by dental professionals to mend cavities or address minor chips and fractures in teeth. Dental fillings Columbia SC materials are applied following the removal of decayed or damaged tissue, aiding in the restoration of the tooth's shape and functionality.

However, when it comes to addressing cavities, prompt treatment is advisable. Dental fillings Columbia SC enhance the integrity of the existing tooth structure and diminish the likelihood of additional decay. This proactive approach translates to reduced time spent in the dental chair and lower overall costs in the future.  

Types of dental fillings

There are many different types of dental fillings. But they all fall into one of two categories: direct or indirect.

Direct fillings

Dentists are able to create and apply direct fillings directly in the patient's mouth, eliminating the necessity for a dental laboratory or temporary restoration. This procedure typically requires only a single visit to the dental office.

Common materials for direct fillings are:

amalgam, which is silver in color and contains mercury combined with silver, tin, zinc, and copper; resin composite, which is tooth-colored and made from a resin base mixed with powdered quartz, silica, or glass; and glass ionomer, also tooth-colored, composed of silica glass powder.

Indirect fillings

A dental technician is responsible for fabricating indirect fillings in a laboratory setting prior to their placement by your dentist. Typically, the process for most indirect fillings necessitates two visits to the dental office: the first for obtaining dental impressions and the second for the placement of the restoration. However, if your dentist employs CAD/CAM (computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing) technology, it is possible to create and install your indirect filling during a single appointment.

Inlays and onlays represent two prevalent forms of indirect fillings. These are utilized by dentists when a tooth exhibits significant damage that precludes the use of a standard filling, yet does not require a full dental crown. An inlay or onlays is designed to fit seamlessly into the existing structure of your tooth, akin to a small puzzle piece.

Common materials for indirect fillings include:

Gold (gold in color; contains gold mixed with other metals like silver, tin, copper or palladium).

Porcelain (tooth-colored; contains a mixture of minerals like feldspar, quartz and kaolin).

Procedure Details

What happens during a dental filling procedure?

The specific procedures may differ based on the materials utilized by your dentist and the type of filling applied. However, the following outlines a general overview of the process you can anticipate. A dentist will:

- Administer local anesthesia to numb the affected tooth.

- Utilize specialized instruments to eliminate any damaged or decayed tissue from the tooth.

- Apply dental filling material to the cavity.

- Employ a dental curing light to solidify the material, applicable only for resin composite fillings.

- Polish and smooth any uneven edges.

- Assess your bite to ensure it feels normal.