Fillings are sometimes necessary to restore a tooth when it has been damaged by decay. At Kaplan Dental Clinic in West Toronto, we perform fillings to restore your tooth back to its normal shape, function, and aesthetic.
Fillings
If you are affected by pesky cavities and require a filling, contact Kaplan Dental Clinic today.
Do I need a Filling?
Usually, only your dentist will be able to detect if you have a cavity and require a filling.
This is why it is important to schedule regular dental visits to detect tooth decay before it worsens.
During your regular check-up, your dentist will use a small mirror and tool to examine the surfaces of each of your teeth to identify abnormalities and decay.
The Filling Procedure
The first step in a filling is removing the damaged or decayed part of the tooth and cleaning the affected area.
Your dentist will then clear and shape the hole in your tooth and prepare for it to be 'filled' with a dental material.
Types of Dental Fillings:
- Composite (plastic) Resins
These types of fillings are made to match the natural colour of your teeth.
Composite fillings are a great option when aesthetic is desired, however, the material may chip or wear over time and will often require replacing.
- Gold Fillings
This type of filling is well tolerated by the tissues of the mouth and can last up to 20 years without issues.
However, gold fillings are also the most expensive type of filling and may require several visits to the dentist to complete.
- Amalgam (silver) fillings
Amalgam fillings are the most common type of filling as they are relatively resistant to wear and are also comparably inexpensive.
However, because of their dark colour, they are a little more noticeable than other types of fillings and are usually not an option for very visible areas of the mouth, such as the front teeth.
- Porcelain Fillings
This type of filling has gained popularity in recent years.
They can be matched to the colour of your tooth and are relatively stain resistant, however, they are similar to the cost of a gold filling.