What is a dental cavity?

A dental cavity is a visible hole, pit, or black discoloration that causes structural damage to the tooth structure. Your oral cavity consists of millions of bacteria that process food for digestion. These oral bacteria break down starch (carbohydrates) and sugars into acids. These acids attack the enamel on your teeth, causing them to decay and create cavities.

A dental cavity may be reversible with good oral hygiene at its early stages. However, if it progresses, it will require treatment from a dentist. If left untreated,  it can lead to more severe damage, such as gum disease.

Dr. George Orfaly of Fisher and Orfaly Dental, Salem, MA, says that with advanced dental procedures, teeth cavities that do not require any significant dental procedure can be restored with the help of various types of dental materials or dental fillings.

What are the different types of dental fillings?

There are many different types of dental fillings available in the market today. Some of the most common ones are:

• Amalgam fillings: Also known as silver fillings, they constitute medical grade mercury and silver dental powder mixed together to form a restorative filling. 
• Gold fillings: These fillings have medical grade gold used as a dental restoration.
• Composite fillings: As the latest kind of dental fillings, they have several benefits over metal fillings like aesthetics, durability, and safety.

Amalgam & gold fillings vs. composite fillings

Amalgam fillings

According to Dr. Orfaly, amalgam is one of the oldest types of fillings. It is still in use today due to its durability. 

• Silver/ amalgam fillings usually last several years, are cheaper than composites, and are a good option for molar teeth. 
• Due to their silver-gray color, they may not be aesthetically acceptable to some. 
• Amalgam fillings also require large cavity spaces to hold the chunk of the material. Therefore a lot of times, sound tooth structure is also removed to make space for amalgam fillings. 
• Amalgam fillings tend to cause black discoloration around the filler cavity. They also tend to discolor the gums when the cavity filled is too near to the gum line.
• Amalgam silver fillings tend to undergo heat changes much higher than gold or composite fillings. Frequent cold or hot food intake can cause your amalgam fillings to expand and contract more, leading to frequent fractures and breakages.
• Amalgam fillings for corner/ edge restorations tend to fracture easily.

Gold fillings

Gold dental fillings are usually done for a niche category of clients that are specific about having a gold restoration in their teeth.

• Gold fillings are the most expensive, as some clients require 24-carat gold to fill their dental cavities. 
• Gold fillings usually require 2 to 3 settings for an ideal restoration.
• Gold fillings are durable and do not corrode for many years.
• Gold fillings handle chewing stresses well.

Composite fillings

Composite fillings are acrylic resin reinforced with a glass filler(powdered). This is a versatile dental material that is not only used to restore dental cavities but is also used for chipped, fractured, and broken teeth. 

• Composite fillings are available in several shades, which can be customized to every patient's teeth color. This makes it almost impossible to differentiate between the fillings and the natural teeth in most cases. 
• Composite fillings are durable for 7-10 years with good aftercare. People with a high risk of developing dental cavities may need to refill their teeth sooner.
• Most composite fillings require longer chair time but just single sitting to be completed.
• Composite fillings have been shown to handle stress and fractures very well.
• You can get these fillings for both minor cavities and significant restorations. 
• Composite materials usually require conservative cavity preparation which involves less tooth structure removal than amalgam fillings.
• They mechanically bind to the tooth structure, thus reinforcing it properly.
• They are slightly more expensive than amalgam fillings but cheaper than gold dental fillings. 

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If you're looking for a dental filling that is undetectable and preserves your beautiful smile, look no further than composite fillings. Not only will this type of filling go unnoticed in your mouth, but it can also prevent future tooth decay from wreaking havoc on the structure of your teeth. 

At Fisher & Orfaly Dental, Dr. George Orfaly uses composite fillings. So if you need a filling, look no further than Fisher & Orfaly Dental for the best care and outcome.

How to take care of dental fillings

Getting a dental filling is an important dental treatment, and you should take care of your dental filling to ensure it lasts for as long as possible. Here are some tips to care for your dental fillings:

• Brush and floss your teeth twice a day.
• Avoid sticky, chewy foods that may dislodge the filling material.
• Avoid grinding your teeth or biting down on hard items.
• Visit your dentist for regular check-ups.

A dental filling can be an effective way to strengthen your teeth and protect them from future decay. With the right care and maintenance, your dental filling can last for years and help you keep your beautiful smile. 

Schedule an appointment with Dr. George Orfaly today if you require a dental filling. He can discuss the best options for you and make sure that your smile stays healthy and beautiful.