Restore and protect your teeth with Dental Fillings in Marlow.

dental fillings by marlow dentists

Types of Dental Fillings available in Marlow

There are many different types of dental fillings, which can be categorized into two main types: direct and indirect.

Direct Fillings

A direct filling typically requires just one office visit, which is what most people think of when they hear the term 'filling'. In this process, the dentist fills the cavity in your tooth without needing a dental laboratory or a temporary restoration.

Common materials used for direct fillings include:

• Resin Composite: These are tooth-coloured or white fillings consisting of a resin base mixed with powdered quartz, silica, or glass.
• Amalgam: These fillings are silver in colour and contain a mixture of mercury, silver, tin, zinc, and copper. We have phased out amalgam fillings at Marlow Dental Centre due to their mercury content and non-aesthetic appearance. Today, there are better alternatives available, making us an amalgam-free dental practice.
• Glass Ionomer: These tooth-coloured fillings are made from silica glass powder. They are often used as a semi-permanent option but can also be placed in certain positions as permanent restorations.

Indirect Fillings

Indirect fillings are typically created in a lab before your dentist places them in your mouth. Most indirect fillings require two office visits: one to take dental impressions and another to place the restoration.

However, at Marlow Dental Centre, we utilise CAD/CAM (computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing) technology, allowing us to create and place your indirect fillings or crowns in a single appointment. Depending on the choice of material, manufacturing can take anywhere from minutes to hours, so we do not always recommend single-visit procedures as the best choice.

Inlays and onlays are two common types of indirect fillings. Dentists often use them when a tooth has too much damage to support a standard filling but not enough damage to require a full dental crown. An inlay or onlay fits into your existing tooth structure like a tiny puzzle piece and is both conservative and biologically friendly.

Common materials for indirect fillings include:

• Porcelain: These tooth-coloured fillings are made from a mixture of minerals such as feldspar, quartz, and kaolin. Today, 'porcelain' fillings are likely made from lithium disilicate or zirconium and are milled as a single piece (see the CEREC section for more information).
• Gold: These fillings are gold in colour and consist of gold mixed with other metals like silver, tin, copper, or palladium.

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What happens during a Dental Filling procedure?

The exact steps can vary depending on the material your dentist uses and the type of filling they place. Generally, here’s what to expect:

• The dentist may numb your tooth with a local anaesthetic, if you prefer.
  
• Damaged or decayed tissue will be removed from your tooth.
• The cavity will be filled with the chosen material.
• A dental curing light will be used to harden the material (this is applicable only for resin composite fillings).
• The dentist will polish and smooth any rough edges.
  
• Finally, they will check your bite to ensure it feels normal.

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How long does it take to recover after a Dental Filling procedure?

You should be able to return to your routine activities immediately after your appointment; however, be cautious not to bite or scald the soft tissues while the local anaesthetic is still effective. Technically, you can eat or drink whatever you want right after the procedure, as it won't damage your new filling. However, waiting until the numbness wears off can prevent accidental biting of the inside of your cheeks. If you choose to eat right away, chew slowly and be careful. It is best to wait until the tissues return to normal.

Over-the-counter pain relievers like paracetamol or ibuprofen can help manage any soreness or sensitivity that may occur.

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When is it too late to get a Dental Filling?

If a cavity becomes so large that it reaches the pulp of your tooth, a dental filling will no longer be effective. In this case, you would require a root canal treatment.