“Cavity” literally means space. Therefore tooth cavity is a hole drilled into your teeth by the mouth-dwelling bacteria you have that throve very well because of your binging on sweets and inadequate oral hygiene practice afterward. The painful result is called tooth decay which causes discomfort to the patient. That’s why it highly encourages to see a dentist for dental filling to avoid further damage and infection to other teeth. In fact, if the cavity is left unfilled, it will eventually lead to tooth loss (which may never grow back because of age).
What to do if I have tooth cavity?
Step 1: Visit your dentist and have him or her check and evaluate the severity of your tooth cavity.
Step 2: Your dentist will eventually talk you into treatments available to alleviate your condition. Most recommended is dental filling.
Step 3: Choose the dental fillings that suit your preference. There are options that may vary because of cost and relative appearance on the patient’s teeth.
What is Dental Filling?
A dental filling is one of the many advances in dentistry. It is a dental procedure done to restore tooth decay back to its normal state, albeit not the same composition with the original tooth. If the dentist will perform dental filling on the patient, he or she will first remove the decayed part, clean the affected area, and then start filling it. By sealing the once exposed cavity, the bacteria can no longer enter which prevents further decay. This method is relatively less painful than the traditional ones (e.g. yanking off the decayed tooth), all thanks to the advent of technology.
Types of filling materials
Due to dental practice improvements, there are now options that you can choose from which depends on your allotted budget (is it covered by your insurance or not), the quality of the material (longevity on the tooth when applied), and how it would look on you. Listed below are types of dental filling materials:
- Amalgam – known as the silver fillings. This is made up of silver, copper, tin, and mercury which renders it high durability. It has been used for more than a century because of its longevity and is relatively inexpensive than the other types.
- Gold Fillings – the best filling material according to dentists. It can last up to 20 years and has been used for a long time like the amalgam, the only difference between the two is the cost. Gold fillings are the most expensive.
- Ceramic (porcelain) – the ceramic filling is created in the laboratory unlike the first two. It is customized to fit the part loss due to the decay then cemented onto the tooth. This is the most favored material because of its natural color. However, it is almost as expensive as gold fillings.
- Composite filling – made of ceramic and plastic compounds hence it can match the color of your teeth. But they are not as durable as metal and is quite expensive.
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