When people had dental cavities 30 or 40 years ago, they were repaired with metal fillings that were hard and dark. When a front tooth had a cavity and was filled, the metal filling could often be seen through the tooth enamel. Older people still have these fillings in place. Not only are they unattractive, they don’t function well. While tooth enamel is one of the hardest materials the body produces, the interior of the tooth is not. Metal fillings just sit in the tooth and don’t bond with the exterior enamel the way the natural interior does. This can cause it to weaken the tooth structure. A Dentist in Anne Arundel can replace these metal fillings with resin fillings.
Patients love these because they match the tooth color and look very natural. They also function much better. Instead of being made of metal, they are a combination of a plastic resin and silica filler. This substance can be bonded to the tooth enamel to restore the strength and function of the tooth. Dentists now have several ways to restore a tooth. Usually, the size of the cavity determines which one they use. These techniques are often referred to as direct and indirect dental fillings. A direct filling is constructed directly in the tooth by the dentist. An indirect filling is made by a technician in a dental laboratory.
When a tooth has a small cavity, the Dentist in Anne Arundel will use resin to create an immediate dental sealing. The dentist removes any bacterial decay and then seals the dentin with resin. This prevents any additional bacteria from infiltrating the dentin. It also minimizes any sensitivity to hot and cold. If the cavity is larger, the dentist uses a semi-direct technique. He still makes the porcelain and resin filling in the office. However, it is made outside of the tooth. When it is complete, the dentist bonds it in place. Large cavities require an indirect porcelain filling. It is a partial dental crown. In addition to filling the center of the tooth, it also protects the rim of the tooth. The dentist cements it into place after it returns from the dental laboratory.
Annapolis Dental Associates is one of the dental offices in the area that restore teeth with these fillings. Their dentists are always willing to discuss these techniques with patients.
