Dental fillings in Oshawa are a common treatment used to repair damaged or decayed teeth. At Margolian Dentistry, we utilize high-quality filling materials designed to provide optimal protection for your teeth and last as long as possible.
However, all restorations need to be replaced periodically, and dental fillings are no exception. Various filling materials are used to protect and restore teeth. The choice can depend on the location of the tooth, the size of the damage and your preference.
Dental filling materials can include:
- Temporary fillings.
- Composite resin fillings.
- Gold fillings.
- Porcelain fillings.
- Glass ionomer fillings.
Temporary Fillings
As you would expect from the name, these fillings are not meant to last. They are placed during the treatment process. For example, if you undergo root canal therapy in Whitby, we may temporarily fill the tooth until we are certain that all the infection has been removed.
A temporary filling is only designed to last a couple of months. If you have a temporary filling, it’s essential to return to our dental office so we can remove it and replace it with a more durable option.
Composite Resin Fillings
These fillings are used to restore small to medium-sized cavities in teeth nearly invisibly. Our dentist selects a shade of composite resin that closely matches the natural colour of the tooth. The material bonds strongly to teeth, creating a durable filling that can last 5 to 7 years or longer.
Gold Fillings
These fillings are used to restore large cavities in back teeth, where composite resin isn’t strong enough. They are made outside of your mouth using a digital dental impression. While they are being made, we would place a temporary filling to protect the tooth.
Gold fillings are extremely durable and can last 20 years or longer. However, they are more expensive than composite resin. They are also very visible in the mouth, so they are typically used to restore large back teeth that are more difficult to see.
More often, porcelain is used instead because it is nearly invisible and extremely strong.
Porcelain Fillings
These fillings are made from a beautiful, strong ceramic and are also ideal for restoring large or cavities in your back teeth. They are resistant to staining and can last 15 years or more. Porcelain fillings are also made outside of the mouth. However, we may be able to make them while you wait using our on-site milling machine. This utilizes the latest CAD/CAM technology to create your porcelain restoration from a block of pre-shaded material.
It doesn’t take long to mill the restoration, after which it is handfinished and polished and ready to fit. With this solution, you may not even need a temporary filling and a second visit.
Glass Ionomer Fillings
These fillings are relatively fragile and typically used to protect exposed tooth roots that have started to decay. They are made from a combination of glass and acrylic and can contain fluoride that is slowly released, helping to protect the tooth root.
Because they are so fragile, glass ionomer fillings typically last five years or less before needing replacement.
Choosing the Right Filling Material
Typically, the process of selecting the right filling material for your needs is straightforward. When you visit our dentist for tooth decay in Ajax or because the tooth has become damaged, we can discuss suitable options to restore it.
A Pain-Free Process
Regardless of which filling material you choose, we will ensure that preparing the tooth and placing your new filling is a pain-free experience. Afterwards, you may notice some temporary sensitivity in the tooth, which is perfectly normal and should subside once the tooth has settled and you become accustomed to your new filling. Please contact our team today to schedule a consultation!
