Conservative Treatment

Tooth Fillings

Is it Effective to Fill Healthy Areas to Prevent Caries?

No, it is not. It is not possible to treat a healthy tooth with the thought that “it may decay in the future”. The most effective way to prevent tooth decay is regular tooth brushing. You can prevent tooth decay by brushing your teeth with the right techniques and with sufficient frequency.

Filling Construction: Step by Step

Modern dental fillings usually do not stick to the tooth, but only hold it. For this reason, dentists use special retention methods to secure the filling. During the filling process, the filling material is placed through the cavity prepared in the tooth in such a way that the tooth regains its natural form.

Filling Material Selection: Which Materials Are Used?

When choosing the filling material, your dentist will consider several factors: The material's resistance to chewing pressure, its aesthetic appearance, and the fact that it does not damage the tooth and tooth pulp. Here are some filling materials:

Porcelain Filling, Cements, Composites: They are aesthetic filling materials and are tooth-colored. However, they are not as durable as amalgam. Therefore, they are generally preferred for front teeth.

Inlays: Inlays are fillings specially prepared in the laboratory. They are bonded to the tooth using materials such as gold or porcelain. This type of filling requires precise work and is long-lasting.

How Are Composite Fillings Made?

Composite fillings are placed layer by layer in the prepared cavity and each layer is hardened with a special light. The filling is then shaped and polished in accordance with the natural form of the tooth. This process takes longer and is usually more expensive than amalgam fillings. The lifespan of composite fillings is between 7-10 years, which is not much different from amalgam fillings. However, amalgam is more durable for large fillings.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Composite Resins

The biggest advantage of composite fillings is their aesthetics. Because they are firmly bonded to the tooth, they support the tooth tissue and prevent fractures and temperature transmission. They can also be used not only to treat cavities, but also to improve the color and shape of teeth. However, tooth sensitivity may occur after the procedure and the color of the fillings may change slightly over time with staining agents such as coffee or tea.

Things to Consider After Composite Fillings

For composite fillings, polishing can be done during the procedure, but an additional check is recommended after large restorations on a large number of teeth. Patients should be careful when biting, especially when large restorations are made on the front teeth. It should also be remembered that food and drinks that stain can change the color of fillings. Tooth brushing habits should also be reviewed and softer brushes should be used, especially on worn teeth