Dental Fillings
A dental filling is a way to repair a weak or decayed portion of a tooth. A dentist will recommend a filling if he finds a cavity. Cavities are decayed areas of the tooth, and will not repair themselves. They will only get larger with time. Unresolved decay will eventually result in a root canal, or an extraction.
There are several materials which may be used to fill a tooth. The location of the filling, the size of the decay and patient preference are all factors in deciding which material should be used.
Composite Fillings
Composite fillings are the ‘white’ fillings. These are used in restoration of the front teeth. Most often, we will also choose to use composites in back teeth as well, as they are more aesthetically pleasing. They were once considered less durable than amalgam or “silver” fillings, but have steadily improved to the point of being a reasonable choice for most fillings. A few insurance companies, however, will hesitate to pay the slightly higher fee for a composite filling on a back tooth. In this case, you will be offered a choice to pay the remaining balance of the fee, or have an amalgam filling.
Amalgam Fillings
Amalgam fillings are the time tested standard of fillings for back teeth. They are a mixture of different materials that when brought together make a durable, inexpensive filling medium. They are, however, silver in color. Although this is often unnoticeable to others, it is a source of embarrassment for some patients. Amalgam fillings also contain a small amount of mercury. This has been a source of concern for many patients. The amount of mercury exposure, however, is well below what would be harmful to humans. Furthermore, removing old amalgam fillings because of concerns for mercury poisoning is not recommended, as the highest levels of exposure are on the day the filling is placed, and the day it is removed. If you would like more information about this, please click here.
Post-Op for Dental Fillings
It is most likely that you will be numb for an hour or two after your filling. Please avoid eating until the numbness subsides to avoid chewing or biting your lips and tongue.
If you have had a white filling, you will be able to chew with that tooth as soon as the numbness wears off. Silver fillings, however, take time to harden completely. To avoid damage to the filling, please avoid chewing on that area for 24 hours.
You may experience heat sensitivity for a few days, and cold sensitivity for as long as 8 weeks especially if the filling was large. You might also have some sensitivity to chewing. Any sensitivity you experience should gradually decrease over time.
When to Call Us
Please call us at (518)587-8885 if:
You notice swelling, either of the face or in the mouth. You have heat sensitivity that lasts more than a few weeks. You have cold sensitivity that lingers on for many minutes. You have spontaneous pain that occurs for no apparent reason. The filling becomes dislodged.
If the office is not open, please leave a message. The answering machine is checked on a regular basis, and someone will return your call promptly.