Direct Fillings

In dentistry, fillings are the most common solution for tooth decay. This conventional treatment has many benefits, such as helping with tooth sensitivity, stopping infections spreading to the jaw bone, and preventing tooth loss.

There are many different choices to be made, but your dentist should take these into consideration before making the final choice of material for your needs. If you want to know which type of filling is right for you, please continue reading.

What Are Direct Fillings?

Fillings performed directly in your mouth are known as “direct fillings” or “direct tooth restoration.” Fillings are used to “fill in” and restore the damaged or missing part of a tooth’s structure caused by trauma or dental decay. Unless there is significant decay and the depth and severity of deterioration need to be evaluated before inserting the filling, these procedures are generally completed in a single visit.

There are a variety of direct materials from which dental fillings may be made, and the type of filling you have has a significant influence on how long it will last. Fillings are not meant to last a lifetime. Therefore, regular dental checkups may help you determine when they have to be replaced.

When it comes to choosing a filler material, many options need consideration. The suitable material for your needs should also be considered if symptoms of tooth decay suggest additional work is necessary to avoid further complications and additional restorative treatment costs in the future.

Modern dentistry has made it possible for your teeth to be filled with various types of filling materials. The most common are silver amalgam (mercury mixed in with other metals), composite resins (white fillings), glass ionomers, and resin ionomers.

How Is Direct Filling Done?

• The medical professional will first numb the surrounding area around the tooth so it can be filled with a local anesthetic.
• A drill, air abrasion instrument, or laser will be used to clean out the cavity. Choosing the right tools to use depends on a dentist’s comfort level, training, and the location and severity of decay on a tooth.
• Finally, your dentist will examine or probe the area to ensure that all decay has been removed. The dentist will clean the cavity of germs and debris after the decay has been removed to prepare it for the filling. If the decay is near the root, your dentist may first insert a glass ionomer, composite resin, or other material as a liner for deep fillings to protect the nerve. After the restorative material is placed, the dentist will complete and polish it.

When it comes to tooth-coloured fillings, there is a lot that goes into the process. The tooth-coloured material is applied in layers after your dentist has removed the decay and cleaned the area. A special light is used to cure or harden the layer. Once the layering process is done, the white fillings will be shaped accordingly. The dentist will trim off the excess material and polish the restoration.

Who Can Have Direct Fillings?

Minor fractures and tooth decay that do not affect the pulp are commonly repaired using fillings. Although your dentist may only be able to tell you if you need a tooth filling based on your circumstances, specific indicators and symptoms can warn you of a cavity that might need filling.

Small cavities usually produce no symptoms. They may be detected early on using dental x-rays. The longer it takes to fill a small cavity, the larger it gets. Symptoms like pain and sensitivity are generally present if the condition is not addressed in time.

However, the cavity has developed when symptoms appear, and a filling is insufficient to repair it. As a result, frequent dental checkups are recommended.

Patients who underwent root canal treatment could get a direct or indirect filling. However, in most cases, a direct filling material is used as a temporary filling while waiting for the permanent dental restoration that is being made at the dental laboratory.

Advantages of Direct Filling

Silver fillings:

• Longevity – typically lasts for at least 10 to 15 years, and these materials usually last longer than composite restoration (tooth-coloured) fillings.
• Mechanical strength – able to withstand the forces of chewing and biting
• Cost – less costly than white tooth fillings

Composite fillings (white fillings):

• Cosmetic appearance – The colour of composite fillings can be very similar to that of existing teeth, which is advantageous from an aesthetic standpoint. For this reason, they’re ideal for use on teeth that are visible from the front.
• Dental bonding – The white tooth fillings are firmly bonded to the prepared tooth using a micro-mechanical bond, which provides additional support. The dentist uses a blue light to set the composite resin material on the tooth.
• Versatility – This restorative material can also be used to restore chipped, broken, or worn teeth in addition to being a cavity filling material.
• Tooth-saving preparation – It requires less removal of natural tooth structure to prepare the tooth for the filling compared with amalgam fillings.

Glass Ionomer Filling 

• Aesthetic – The colour of the filling is close to the shade of your teeth.
• Tooth preparation – In most cases, a glass ionomer filling can be fitted without much tooth preparation. Also, dentists choose it as a filling option for children with dental cavities on their primary teeth.
• Contains Fluoride – Glass ionomers release fluoride over time, helping to strengthen and maintain your dental health.
• Adhesion – It firmly adheres to the teeth, preventing any further decay or leakage.

Disadvantages of Direct Fillings

Silver fillings:

• Aesthetically inferior – silver fillings don’t match natural teeth in colour.
• Removal of tooth structure – It is often necessary to remove healthy tooth structures to fit the fillings for amalgam fillings.
• Discolouration – Amalgam fillings may discolour the adjacent teeth structure and cause it to take on a greyish tone.
• Broken teeth – It’s well-known that all teeth expand and contract when exposed to hot or cold liquids. However, some materials are more susceptible than others – this includes tooth fillings like amalgam, which can cause cracks and fractures as they contract and expand.
• Allergic reactions – It is estimated that only 1% of patients are allergic to mercury in dental amalgam fillings.
  The amalgam restoration uses mercury, which releases a vapour that can be breathed in and absorbed by the lungs. High levels of mercury vapour exposure have been linked with negative impacts on the brain and kidneys. The FDA has deemed them safe for people aged six and above, with no connection between amalgam fillings and health issues.

Composite resin fillings:

• Fragile – Composite fillings are delicate and not as long-lasting as amalgam fillings. They are not durable when subjected to chewing forces and when used for large cavities in posterior teeth or molar teeth.
• Longer chair time – Due to the technique of applying composite materials, it can take 20 minutes longer to place than an amalgam filling.
• Multiple clinic visits – If used for inlays or onlays, composite resin restoration may necessitate more than one dental visit to the dentist.
• Chipping – Composite materials tend to chip off the tooth when placed in specific locations.
• Cost – Composite resin fillings are twice as expensive as dental amalgam fillings.

Glass Ionomer Filling

• Fragile – The dental material is weaker than other filling materials and is prone to quick wear and tear.
• Colour – While the colour of the material is close, it is not an exact match to your original tooth colour.
• Longer chair time – Each glass ionomer layer must be bonded separately, which takes some time to complete.

Final Thoughts

Dental fillings, whether temporary or permanent, fillings are the most common type of dental work done. While they may seem like minor procedures, there can be severe complications if you don’t do them correctly. That’s why it is essential to find an experienced dentist who has experience with restorative treatment.

If you need any dental work done and are looking for the best possible experience with less pain, call us today at 08 9535 4900. When you visit Peel Dental Studio, we will work with you to find the proper dental treatment plan for your oral health. We’re looking forward to hearing from you!

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