Generally about the treatment
When a cavity occurs in a tooth (caries), it will require cleaning and a filling with a material. Teeth can be rebuilt using a plastic material, which gives a good cosmetic result.
Plastic sticks to the tooth like glue, which is a good thing, seeing as it makes it more difficult for the tooth to break later on.
These days, dentists more often use plastic instead of the old, well-known material, silver amalgam. Plastic is more complicated and time consuming to work with than silver amalgam. Due to this, it is more expensive.
Silver fillings are nowadays only used for large fillings in the molars. In Sweden the material is advised against completely. Silver in the teeth does nok look cosmetically pleasing, but it does have it's benefits. It is very strong, and not as soft as plastic, which makes it last longer. Additionally, silver amalgam prevents the growth of bacteria.
Unfortunately silver fillings also start to grow after 5-8 years, and this might cause cracks in the teeth. Silver amalgam also contains mercury, which is bad for the environment.
There are limitations for the use of plastic fillings. In the case of very large defects, such as teeth that have been treated with a root canal, a dental crown is often the right solution. As a rule of thumb, the greater the size of the defect, the stronger material is required for the treatment.
The procedure
The dentist will start by sedating the area to be treated. He or she will prepare the access to the decaying part of the tooth, which is to be removed. This can be done using a traditional drill, or by laser.
The dentist is able to preserve more of the healthy tooth, when this is to be filled with plastic, compared to silver amalgam. The liquid plastic is placed in thin layers. A special bright light is used to harden each layer, before another layer is added.
Finally, the dentist will use a special paper to adjust the height of the dental filling, ensuring that the alignment of the teeth/bite remains correct.
Anaesthesia
A dental filling can be carried out under local anaesthesia and is ambulant.
Side-effects
A small number of people develop an allergic reaction to some or all plastic materials. If this is the case, and if the patient still wants a beautiful cosmetic result, a porcelain inlay may be a very good, although expensive, solution.
Risk of complications
Plastic contains a hormone-like material. The impact that this might have on our health is still uncertain.
Healing and recovery
Normal functions can be resumed immediately.
Duration of the result
Depends on the character and extent.