Dental fillings are most often used when decay is present but can also be used for other reasons. When decay is present it is irreversible and must be taken out of the tooth in order to prevent further damage, and filled with restorative material. Depending on how large the area of decay is the filling size will differ as well as materials. Your dentist can discuss which material is suited for your mouth. Fillings can be done on every tooth, front teeth as well as back teeth depending on reason. If your have any question whether you need fillings or if your older fillings need to be replaced, you should seek advice from a dentist.
Bonding is using fillings for cosmetic purposes. Bonding serves to build up tooth structure to make the tooth look and feel more natural. If you have chipped your two front teeth or even just a small corner of one tooth, tooth colored filling material can be placed into those spaces to make the teeth look natural again. Bonding has become most popular for correction of spaces in front teeth and small chips. Filling material is used to build up the spaces in between teeth which can eliminate the space entirely or minimize the space depending on how large the space is. Filling material can almost be manipulated to fit any tooth surface.
1. Cracked broken teeth
2. Teeth with chips from grinding or nail biting
3. Uneven length of front teeth
1. Old fillings can fall out
2. The fillings may have cracked
3. If you grind your teeth, you may also be grinding down your fillings
4. Old fillings can cause leakage around the edges in which bacteria can enter the tooth and cause recurrent decay.
