Fillings

What is a dental filling?

Dental fillings are one of the most common dental procedures performed to restore teeth that have been damaged by decay or trauma. A dental filling is a material that is used to fill the hole left in a tooth after decay has been removed. This material is designed to blend in with the natural tooth structure and provide support and protection to the remaining tooth structure. Let's discuss the process of getting a dental filling, the benefits of dental fillings, the history of dental fillings, and how to maintain them.

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The process of getting a dental filling involves the following steps:

1. Numbing: Before the procedure begins, the dentist will numb the area around the tooth using a local anesthetic. This is done to ensure that the patient does not feel any pain during the procedure.
2. Removal of decay: Once the area is numb, the dentist will remove the decay from the tooth using a drill or laser. This is done to create a clean, healthy surface for the filling material to adhere to.
3. Preparation: After the decay has been removed, the dentist will prepare the tooth for the filling material by cleaning the area and shaping it to fit the filling.
4. Placement of filling: Once the tooth has been prepared, the dentist will place the filling material in the hole left by the decay. The material will be smoothed and shaped to ensure a comfortable and natural-looking result.
5. Polishing: After the filling has been placed, the dentist will polish the tooth to create a smooth and shiny surface.

At Monterey Dental our dentists use Grandio Flow composite and the benefits of this type of filling is:

• Optimal flowability
• High filler degree of 80.2% w/w
• Exact shade match to Grandio
• Excellent wetting properties
• Micro hybrid composite like physical properties
• Significantly lower polymerization shrinkage than conventional flowable
• Particularly good abrasion resistance
• High transverse strength
• Can be used with all conventional bonding agents

The Benefits of Fillings:

Dental fillings offer several benefits, including:

• Restoring function: Fillings restore the function of the tooth by providing support and protection to the remaining tooth structure.
• Preventing further decay: By removing decay and filling the hole left behind, fillings prevent further decay from forming in the same area.
• Maintaining aesthetics: Fillings can be made to blend in with the natural tooth color, maintaining the aesthetics of the smile.
• Easy and quick: The process of getting a filling is easy and quick, usually taking only one appointment with the dentist.

A Brief History of Fillings:

The history of dental fillings can be traced back to the ancient Egyptians, who used a mixture of crushed shells, bones, and oyster shells to fill cavities. The ancient Greeks and Romans also used various materials to fill cavities, including resin, lead, and even gold. However, it wasn't until the 19th century that dental fillings became more advanced.

In 1828, the first amalgam filling was introduced by French physician Louis Nicolas Regnart. Amalgam fillings, made of a mixture of mercury, silver, tin, and copper, became the most common type of filling material for over a century. In the 1960s, composite resin fillings were introduced, which offered a more aesthetically pleasing option for filling cavities.

Proper Maintenance of Fillings

To ensure the longevity of dental fillings, it is important to practice good oral hygiene. This includes:

• Brushing twice a day: Brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste helps to remove plaque and prevent further decay from forming around the filling.
• Flossing daily: Flossing daily helps to remove plaque and food particles from between teeth and around the filling.
• Regular dental check-ups: Regular check-ups with the dentist are important to monitor the condition of the filling and detect any potential problems.
• Avoiding hard foods: Chewing on hard foods, such as ice or hard candy, can damage fillings and cause them to loosen or fall out.
• Avoiding sugary and acidic foods: Consuming sugary and acidic foods and drinks can contribute to the development of decay and weaken the filling material.

Call Monterey Dental today at (403) 293-7818, we look forward to seeing your beautiful smile.

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