Dental Fillings

Patients with decay in small areas above the gingiva (gum) line are suitable for dental filling treatment. Dentin is the tooth pulp under the enamel layer and surrounding the tooth nerve canal. Pain is experienced when decay affects the enamel and dentin of the tooth. Once the decay has reached the nerve canal, doctors can suggest having a root treatment firstly to stop sensitivity before covering with a filling. A root treated tooth can change colour over time and the integrity is compromised. So in these conditions, a dental crown is a more appropriate treatment.

Dental fillings are an appropriate treatment for children and adults. All dentists can apply a dental filling but for a more appropriate service, caries treatment can be completed by a paediatric dentist (doctor specialising in children’s oral treatments).

Dental fillings in Turkey are easily treated within one appointment. Local anaesthesia is applied to keep the patient relaxed and pain-free during dental filling treatment. Barrier materials are placed over the neighbouring teeth to avoid approximal collateral damage. The dentist uses specialised burs to remove decayed enamel and dentin.

Composite resin is mixed with ceramic or glass dust to provide durability and applied to the treatment area in small amounts. Each small amount is pressed into place and smoothed over to remove air pockets then cured by an ultraviolet light. Curing hardens the resin and happens within a few seconds so applying filling material can be completed within a few minutes. The final layer is textured to resemble a natural tooth. Articulating paper strips are used to highlight high contact areas in the functionality of the built up composite filling. Higher areas will disrupt the functionality so the dentist can reduce the size until perfect functionality is achieved.

There are 4 types of materials used to create dental fillings. These are as follows:

• Amalgam – is a silver alloy that includes zinc, mercury and other metals and is the traditional filling material before resins and composite materials were introduced to dentistry. Despite attention to the mercury in amalgam material, it was ruled safe to use. However, it does provide an obvious unsightly aesthetic.
• Composite – is a colour-matching resin material that is easily moldable and hardened by light curing. Composite resin is the most common filling material in dental fillings used today. The life time is between 5 and 10 years.
• Ceramic – porcelain material is durable and cosmetic in application but is not cost-effective.
• Glass ionomer – fillings are a combination of glass and acrylic plastic usually used in paediatric treatments. These release fluoride into the tooth believed to protect the patient from further decay.

The appropriate treatment for a cavity depends on the degree of compromised integrity to the tooth. If a tooth has multiple cavities or a cavity reaches the inner root nerve canal, then a crown would be appropriate. In terms of aesthetic, a dental crown has higher quality durability and aesthetic than a filling. However, there is more tooth preparation required for crown treatment. So the patient should weigh these risks first.

Dentares Smile Clinic in Turkey uses glass infused composite fillings for added aesthetic and durability that can last between 5-10 years. Provided the patient adopts frequent oral hygiene techniques and clinic check-ups.