Having a cavity filled is one of the most routine tasks that you have done to your mouth, but if you are like many people, your understanding of fillings may be limited. This may make it difficult for you to address common issues that your cavities may encounter over the course of your life. After considering the answers to the following questions about cavities, you should find you have more of the information you need to make smart decisions for your teeth.
What Should You Do If Your Filling Comes Loose?
The vast majority of the time you are unlikely to experience any problems with your filling. However, it is possible for the filling to come loose. Often, this is due to a trauma to the mouth, and while this may be a painful problem to have, you may not need to have the filling completely replaced if it has only been loosened.
When the filling is loose, you should purchase a temporary filling repair kit from your local pharmacy. These kits contain a temporary adhesive that can be used to secure the filling in place until you are able to see a dentist. However, it should be noted that these adhesives will lose effectiveness over time, and you should avoid delaying seeing the dentist.
Why Would You Want To Replace Your Amalgam Fillings With Porcelain Ones?
If you have had fillings done before, there is a good chance that you may have have received metal fillings. While these fillings can strengthen your teeth and prevent the decay from causing further harm, they can also create some issues for the patient. For example, it is possible for the metal in these fillings to start to stain the teeth after many years. Also, metal fillings can create major cosmetic problems that you may have only recently had the financial means to correct.
For those that have started to suffer either functional or cosmetic problems due to their metal fillings, they may want to consider having them changed for porcelain or composite resin fillings. Fortunately, this process is relatively simple and painless. Your dentist will simply remove the amalgam filling and then refill the cavity with porcelain or composite resin. In most cases, this procedure takes around the same amount of time as the original filing.
Fillings are relatively routine treatments for patients suffering from cavities. However, you may be like many others and have a limited understanding about this treatment. By understanding how to address a loose filling and having metal fillings changed for white ones, you should find it easier to make sound decisions for your mouth. Contact a local dentist, like HC Dentistry, if you have further questions.
