Services: Dental Diagnosis and GP: Fillings

Dental Fillings

At some point or other in ours lives, most of us wind up with a cavity. In most cases, a cavity calls for your dentist to remove the decay and to fill in the tooth area that was removed.

There are two basic types of fillings used:

• Traditional Amalgam Fillings
• Composite Resin Tooth-Colored Fillings

Amalgam Fillings versus Composite Resin Fillings

Traditional Amalgam Fillings

Most of us have had amalgam fillings (silver) or gold filling restorations. Some amalgam fillings were what we have called mercury fillings, as some amalgam fillings contained mercury. Metal fillings were effective, but very conspicuous and tended to blacken in color over time. Their safety has been in question for a number of years due to concerns over the absorption of elemental mercury contributing to several diseases, including Alzheimer's, multiple sclerosis, dementia and arthritis.

Composite Resin Tooth-Colored Fillings

Composite resin dental fillings were created as an alternative to traditional metal dental fillings.Tooth fillings colored to look like a natural tooth are known as Composite Resin Dental Fillings,are made of a plastic dental resin. There are no known health risks of receiving composite fillings. Composite Resin Dental Fillings are strong, durable, and make for a very natural looking smile. Composite resins is used as a tooth bonding procedure, the resin will strengthen and enhance the natural tooth structure as it does with use as a dental filling.

Mercury Filling Replacement with Composite Resin Fillings

Mercury fillings or amalgam fillings can easily be removed and replaced with far more attractive colored fillings.

>> more information on comparison between different types of fillings

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Technology at BIDC

Our clinics uses the 3M™ ESPE™ Filtek™ for composite resin fillings. The 3M™ ESPE™ utilises developments in nanotechnology enabling high-quality restorations as well as excellent mechanical properties and strength.

Benefits of 3M™ ESPE™ Filtek™

1. Nanosized filler particles create a brilliant polish and retention
2. Gives excellent strength, durability and wear resistance for even the toughest posterior restorations
3. Can be used for simple to complex restorations involving layering and combining two and opacities
4. Low polymerization shrinkage for less stress on the tooth and less sensitivity potential for patients
5. Fluorescence contributes to a more natural looking restoration
6. Unique nanocomposite-based restorative combines strength and high-quality esthetics
   

The above information has been taken from 3M ESPE website.

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