Dental Fillings

Dental Fillings

 If you have been diagnosed with a cavity or perhaps need a repair fixed on a chipped tooth, you may be wondering about the process and considerations for dental fillings. While dental fillings are a very common procedure, several considerations still go into the proper restorative procedure for you.

Why do I need a dental filling?

If your Winter Park dentist recommends a dental filling,
it is likely the first step in the minimally invasive
method to only remove and “fill” the impacted area
of the tooth. This protects against increasing decay and
potentially more severe procedures if the cavity
progresses deeper into the tooth and potentially into
the roots. Modern dental fillings can have many
applications, so another potential reason for a
recommended filling is to fix smaller “chips” or other
damage to a tooth. While this is most common for front
teeth, it can also be applied to minor damage on other
teeth. A dental filling to fix a small “chip” is less invasive
and less costly than a complete replacement or covering
(such as a dental crown or veneer). You may be
wondering why a Winter Park dentist recommends
a dental filling if you do not feel any pain or other
symptoms. The dentist uses a combination of X-rays,
visual examination, and often physical testing to confirm the presence of a
cavity or other defect. If you aren’t feeling any pain or sensitivity in the area – that’s great. In that case, most of the time, the dentist recommends that that filling be done before tooth decay progresses further. When a cavity grows larger because it was untreated, it can significantly increase the risk to the tooth for several reasons: 1) An increase in the size of the filling lowers the amount of natural tooth remaining, requiring more filling material. 2) Larger fillings can get closer to the root and nerves, which increases the risk of the filling material and the doctor’s instruments getting too close to these sensitive areas. Sometimes, this may lead to needing a root canal procedure to save the tooth. 3) Cavities that are too large may not be treatable with a dental filling but instead may require a dental crown, or in the worst case, not restorable, and the patient will need an extraction and permanently lose a tooth.

Depending on your dental conditions, the dentist may recommend “metal” amalgam or “white” composite fillings.

What is the difference between metal versus “white” composite fillings?

 In short, both 'white' composite fillings and 'metal' or 'silver' amalgam fillings are excellent dental restorations that help protect from / help minimize further tooth decay and cavities. When it decides between the two, our staff can always provide a recommendation specific to your situation. However, the general pros and cons are:

White composite fillings:

 Pros:

• They are more cosmetic/aesthetic as they blend in with the color of your teeth and are the most popular choice for apparent areas. They can also help in cosmetic dentistry for darkened spots from cavities, calcification, or staining. Patients often whiten their teeth before having fillings placed on their front teeth to match their desired shade.

• Strong bonding properties to help seal and discourage cracks from forming on the tooth

• Minimal removal of tooth structure so less of the tooth is disturbed, and more can be preserved.

 Cons:

• More costly and time-consuming than metal fillings

• Although composite fillings have improved significantly, they may not last as long as amalgam fillings.

Amalgam fillings

Pros

• More robust and durable and can last longer than composite fillings

• It can be placed quickly and reliably, which enables successful restoration in more situations.

• Less costly than composite fillings and are often covered with less out-of-pocket cost when using dental insurance

Cons:

• They can be more visible and noticeable as they are silver in color depending on the location (when smiling or opening the mouth)

• Metal fillings require the removal of more tooth structures to prepare for and secure the filling, which can weaken the tooth. 

Due to patient preferences, we typically default to composite fillings on your dental treatment plan unless: 1) Dr. Yu has determined, based on a specific situation, that an amalgam filling is the best clinical choice for the patient's long-term care, or 2) the patient requests explicitly amalgam fillings (typically to reduce cost).

Should I replace my metal fillings with new white fillings?

It can be tempting to consider changing your older metal fillings with white with cosmetic dentistry – especially if your dental insurance covers a portion of the cost. This is a popular question and can be an elective procedure for the patient. However, our dentist typically only recommends replacing amalgam fillings if the older restoration is either failing / loose due to wear or if a cavity has started to form, which would require a replacement anyway. The reasoning is that replacing an otherwise issue-free metal filling would require shaving and preparing at least some (even minimal) natural tooth structure and further disturb the tooth. Particularly for 'deep' fillings, the risk may not be worth the replacement.

Ultimately, we strive for every patient to be able to make their own well-informed decisions. So, if you have any questions about your specific amalgam fillings and potentially replacing them – as your local dentist, we are always happy to discuss and explain your unique considerations and potential risks.

If you need any help deciding if you need dental fillings or a professional opinion from a local dentist in Winter Park for what is best in your specific situation – please book an appointment with us or call us!