One of the things your dentist looks for during your regular
dental check-up is tooth decay. If you have decay, and require treatment, you
can choose from a number of different dental materials and treatment options
to restore your teeth to good health. Your dentist can advise you on the type
of dental materials that will work best in your particular case, and inform
you about the esthetic and cost implications associated with each one. But the
final decision on which dental material is placed in your mouth belongs to
you.
Before you decide on a treatment plan, it is important to
inform your dentist if you are taking any medications, or if there have been
any changes in your health status since you last updated your medical history.
Various health conditions may influence the range of treatment options
available to you. Your dentist is aware of these considerations, and can
advise you of any known concerns. Remember, it is your responsibility to
inform your dentist of your current medical condition, or if you are pregnant.
If you have any questions about the dental materials and
procedures described in this pamphlet, talk to your dentist. Your dentist can
explain the advantages and disadvantages of each option and material, relative
to your specific needs and personal circumstances.
Although your dentist also uses restorative materials to
repair broken, stained, missing or damaged teeth, they are most often used to
treat caries, which appear on your teeth as brown or black spots. These spots
are actually areas of diseased tissue. Left untreated, caries can penetrate
through the tough outer layer of your teeth, known as the enamel, into the
more sensitive inner layer, or dentin. This can lead to pain, discomfort and,
if left untreated, tooth loss.
Your dentist treats caries by carefully removing all traces
of diseased tissue, or decay, from the affected tooth. Once the decay is
removed, your dentist shapes the resulting cavity and fills it with a suitable
restorative material.
Restorative Materials
Restorative dentistry has undergone a virtual revolution in
the past 20 years with the introduction of a wide range of new materials and
techniques.
Today, four main types of restorative materials are
available: metals, composite resins, ceramics and glass ionomers. Each
material offers unique advantages and disadvantages, depending on your own
specific circumstances and needs.
In addition, there are two main classifications of dental
materials, direct and indirect.
- When direct materials are used, your dentist can often
restore your decayed tooth in a single appointment. These materials are placed
directly into the cavity your dentist has prepared, and harden quickly.
- Indirect materials usually require a minimum of two
appointments to place, because they must be fabricated before they are
inserted into the cavity. In most cases, indirect restorations are fabricated
in a dental laboratory. Once they are fabricated, they are cemented into place
by your dentist.
Dental amalgam is the best known direct material. Although
cast gold alloy may be the most durable indirect material, ceramics are
increasing in popularity because of their longevity relative to other tooth
coloured materials.
To choose the treatment plan that’s right for
you, ask
your dentist to explain the risks and benefits, advantages and disadvantages,
and the costs, of the different alternatives which could be used to treat your
specific problem.
Fillings and Dental Materials
