How effective are dental fillings?
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Healthwise answered:A filling repairs the tooth and stops tooth decay. Over a long period of time, you may need to replace a worn-out filling.
Your filled tooth may be sensitive to heat and cold for days to weeks after you get the filling. Talk to your dentist about toothpastes that may help you with this discomfort. Tell your dentist if your teeth are too sensitive after you get a filling, because you can usually treat this problem.
A filling repairs the tooth and stops tooth decay. Over a long period of time, you may need to replace a worn-out filling. Your filled tooth may be sensitive to heat and cold for days to weeks after you get the filling. Talk to your dentist about... More -
Dr. William Litaker answered:Dental fillings are effective in repairing areas of a tooth that have broken or decayed. Left untreated, dental decay can lead to pain, tooth loss, and infection. Before fillings are placed, decay is removed from the tooth. The filling restores the tooth back to its normal shape and size. With proper brushing, flossing, diet, and regular visits to the dentist, fillings can last a long time.Dental fillings are effective in repairing areas of a tooth that have broken or decayed. Left untreated, dental decay can lead to pain, tooth loss, and infection. Before fillings are placed, decay is removed from the tooth. The filling restores the... More -
Dr. Saul Miller answered:Dental fillings are very effective. Fillings or restorations are placed to restore/fix decayed, fractured and chipped teeth. A variety of materials may be used depending on the tooth, location in the mouth and the reason for the filling. Also, a variety of materials may be used in a single restoration to seal, place a lining and actually fill the defect.
Among the materials used are composite resin, silver amalgam and glass ionomer (sometimes resin reinforced). Also some there are materials that are used for temporary fillings, in case of "emergency".
When placed properly, fillings have good longevity, with some materials often lasting for longer periods of time than others, but all materials have different properties and indications
No matter what materials are used however good oral hygiene must be performed to avoid recurrent decay, gum disease and lost fillings due to decay. In addition, a good diet is important for both dental health and overall health. As my column in the Journal of the Philadelphia Dental Society is titled, "It's Not Just About the Teeth".
Dental fillings are very effective. Fillings or restorations are placed to restore/fix decayed, fractured and chipped teeth. A variety of materials may be used depending on the tooth, location in the mouth and the reason for the filling. Also,... More -
Dr. Philip Uffer answered:Fillings can be very effective.
Their effectiveness depends on the skill of the dentist, the level of care the patient takes in keeping it clean, and the size of the filling.
Fillings can be very effective. Their effectiveness depends on the skill of the dentist, the level of care the patient takes in keeping it clean, and the size of the filling. More
