Dental Fillings
A dental filling can be placed in a tooth for a number of reasons.
- A dental filling may be placed in a tooth for the first time when there is decay present which has progressed from the outside enamel layer of a tooth and into the second dentine layer of the tooth.
- A dental filling may be placed when there is dental decay around the margin of an existing filling.
- A dental fillings may be placed when a tooth has fractured.
- A dental filling may be placed when an existing filling has broken.
There are a number of different types of dental fillings including:
- Amalgam (silver coloured).
- composite fillings (tooth coloured)
- gold inlays and onlays (gold coloured)
- porcelain inlays and onlays(tooth coloured).
Tooth Coloured Fillings
Tooth coloured fillings can replace old discoloured fillings or metal fillings with a filling with is more aesthetic. Tooth coloured fillings can also be used to restore teeth which are broken or have a cavity due to decay.
Root Canal Treatment
Root canal treatment procedure can be performed in vital (living ) tooth or in non-vital (non living ) tooth. When a patient complains of severe constant toothache due to decay or trauma to a tooth, root canal treatment is advised. Root Canal Treatment is the procedure done to preserve the tooth. This procedure involves removing the damaged or infected pulp (nerve), treating any infection and filling the empty canals in the tooth.
Root canal treatment is a skilled and time-consuming procedure. Most courses of treatment will involve two or more visits. A local anaesthesic is used so it should feel no different to having an ordinary filling done except that it takes longer.
At the first appointment, the infected pulp is removed. Any abscesses, which may be present, can also be drained at this time. The root canal is then cleaned and shaped ready for the filling. A temporary filling is put in and the tooth is left to settle.
The tooth is checked at a later visit and when all the infection has cleared, the tooth root canals are filled with an inert filling material called gutta percha.Some root filled tooth darken after treatment, however if there is any discolouration, there are several treatments available to restore the natural appearance of the tooth.
Often it will be better to restore the tooth with a crown to provide extra support and strength to the tooth especially if this a molar (back) tooth. We will advise you about this.Root-treated teeth should be cleaned just the same as any other tooth. with a fluoride toothpaste.
Root canal treatment is a skilled and time-consuming procedure. Most courses of treatment will involve two or more visits. A local anaesthesic is used so it should feel no different to having an ordinary filling done except that it takes longer.
At the first appointment, the infected pulp is removed. Any abscesses, which may be present, can also be drained at this time. The root canal is then cleaned and shaped ready for the filling. A temporary filling is put in and the tooth is left to settle.
The tooth is checked at a later visit and when all the infection has cleared, the tooth root canals are filled with an inert filling material called gutta percha.Some root filled tooth darken after treatment, however if there is any discolouration, there are several treatments available to restore the natural appearance of the tooth.
Often it will be better to restore the tooth with a crown to provide extra support and strength to the tooth especially if this a molar (back) tooth. We will advise you about this.Root-treated teeth should be cleaned just the same as any other tooth. with a fluoride toothpaste.
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