What are dental fillings & inlays?
Let’s be honest. Fillings are never anyone’s favourite dental treatment. But when you lose part of a tooth through wear, damage or decayThe lay term for carious lesions in a tooth; decomposition of tooth structure., they are a great way to build your tooth back again.
Where a fillingA lay term used for the restoring of lost tooth structure by using materials such as metal, alloy, or porcelain. is needed your Dentist will carefully remove any damage or decay and restore the tooth to its original size and shape with a strong and durable filling.
There are two types of filling that are offered by most Dentists. AmalgamSingle surface silver filling. filling are greyish in colour and usually given to patients as part of routine NHS treatment, when a filling is required.
White or compositeSingle surface composite filling (white or tooth colored) performed on a tooth in the front of the mouth. fillings (as they are sometimes known), are moulded to the exact shape of your tooth and set using a blue light. This putty-like resin-based material is lifelike and long lasting, making them a popular choice.
If your Dentist sees the need for a filling during one of your regular dental check-ups, it can often be done at the same appointment. Otherwise another appointment will be booked you can come back to have the filling done as soon as possible.
Your Dentist will prepare your tooth for filling. They will numb the area, remove any decay or weak areas of the tooth and shape it to hold the filling in place. They will then wash and dry the tooth, using water and air blown onto it. They then apply and shape the filling on the tooth. We find that most patients feel a little discomfort while this is done if they have sensitive teeth.
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