Cavities are a common oral health problem that nearly everyone encounters at some point in their lives. While regular at-home care practices like brushing and flossing can reduce your risk for cavities, many people are genetically predisposed to the condition. That means that the battle against cavities can be a struggle. If you do end up with a cavity in one of your teeth, it’s important to treat the condition with a dental filling as quickly as possible. There are different materials used in dental fillings for different purposes, and your dentist can help you choose the right filling for the job.
Metal Amalgam Is a Strong, Durable Filling Material
Metal amalgam is sort of the original dental filling. This material has been used for over a century to fill cavities and strengthen teeth, and with good reason. Metal amalgam is incredibly strong and durable. It’s a good filling option for teeth that bear a lot of stress, like back molars. These teeth do a lot of grinding of food, so keeping them in tact is important for the sake of your bite and your comfort while chewing. A metal amalgam filling can stand up to the wear that comes from daily use, but metal amalgam also stands out.
Tooth-Colored Filling Options Are Discreet
While metal amalgam fillings in your back molars may not be particularly noticeable when you talk or smile, the material can stand out in more front-facing teeth. In those cases, your dentist can use tooth-colored fillings for your cavities. Composite resin is a strong material that is malleable. It can easily conform to the shape of the cavity it is filling. The resin can be tinted by your dentist to accurately match the color and appearance of your surrounding teeth, making it a discreet option. Ceramic fillings are another tooth-colored option which reflect light and provide probably the most cosmetically appealing option for fillings.
Get Your Filling as Soon as Possible
Your dentist can help you determine which filling is the right one for the job. What’s most important is that you take action quickly when you notice a cavity. The sooner you visit your dentist, the smaller the filling will be, and the lower your risk for more serious infection. Infections that are left untreated spread deep into the tooth and can harm the root canals, creating the need for additional treatment.
Find Out About Filling Options at Cedar Dental
Our team at Cedar Dental understand that you want your teeth to be both healthy and cosmetically appealing. We can give you a dental filling that achieves both of those objectives. The first step is making an appointment for treatment. You can schedule an appointment for a dental filling by contacting Cedar Dental in Cedar Rapids, IA by calling 319-364-7108.
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