A filling is a restoration of a tooth that has been damaged by decay. Tooth decay, commonly referred to as a cavity, is caused by certain types of bacteria.
The bacteria that causes cavities converts sugar and carbohydrates from your diet into acids that can penetrate the enamel and dentin in your teeth. As these bacteria continue to grow, the decay will get into the tooth’s inner layer.
The first thing a dentist must do to restore a tooth damaged by decay is to remove all decayed tooth material. After that, they clean the area out. At this point, the dentist needs to fill the space left by decay.
This space or “cavity” must now be filled to restore the strength and function of the tooth and to prevent bacteria from causing any more damage to the tooth in the future. At Whidbey Dental Associates, we offer three types of fillings for restoring teeth damaged by tooth decay: traditional amalgam fillings, composite fillings, and ceramic fillings.
Amalgam Filling
Traditional amalgam fillings are made from a mixture of zinc, tin, copper, silver, and mercury. Amalgam fillings are very strong and they can last up to 10 years or longer. They’re the most economical type of filling and they can be completed in one office visit.
Amalgam fillings are the least aesthetically pleasing type of filling. They are highly visible because they do not match the color of your teeth. Amalgam fillings can also corrode over time.
Composite Fillings
Composite fillings are made from a combination of crushed quartz and high strength resin. Composite fillings are more costly than amalgam fillings. But they’re much more aesthetically pleasing than amalgam fillings because they match the color of your teeth.
Less drilling is necessary with composite fillings, which don’t require as much space as amalgam fillings. Composite fillings bond with the teeth, which makes the restoration stronger than one performed with an amalgam filling.
Ceramic Fillings
With our advanced CEREC system, we can provide high-quality ceramic fillings in just one visit. Ceramic fillings are made from porcelain. They are highly aesthetic because they match the color and luster of your teeth. Ceramic fillings are very resistant to staining.
Dental Bonding
Dental bonding is a procedure that uses resin to enhance the appearance of your smile. Bonding is formulated to blend in with your smile. They can be used to repair cracked teeth, chipped teeth, adjust the length or shape of teeth, or fill small spaces between teeth.