Fillings and Sealants
Tooth decay and cavities are common dental problems. Getting a tooth-colored filling can help prevent the issue from getting worse.
Tooth Fillings and Sealants in Birmingham, AL
A dental sealant is a preventative treatment that lowers the chances of developing cavities in the deep chewing surfaces of your back teeth. Since these grooves, pits, and fissures are narrow and difficult to clean with a toothbrush, they’re some of the areas that develop cavities first.
By placing sealants on your chewing surfaces, we create a shallower, smoother area that’s easier to clean with a toothbrush. That way, there’s little to no residual bacteria left inside the grooves following your typical brushing routine.
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How do cavity fillings work?
Cavity fillings are necessary to fill the holes left in the tooth by tooth decay. If left untreated, the decay will continue to spread and damage the tooth. During the filling procedure, dentists clean away the decay inside the cavity, usually with a drill, to prevent further damage. However, this doesn’t repair the damage that has already occurred, so a filling is needed. The purpose of the filling is to replace the part of the tooth that has been damaged or destroyed by tooth decay. The dentist shapes the filling to match the surrounding tooth, restoring its strength and integrity and preventing further decay.
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How long does a dental sealant last?
Dental sealants have been used and proven effective since the 1970s. They are typically placed on chewing surfaces and are great at preventing tooth decay. While their lifespan can vary, many sealants last for years. If a sealant wears off, a new one can be placed on the tooth. It’s important to note that sealants only protect the tooth surface on which they are placed. To protect all tooth surfaces from decay and cavities, it’s still important to use fluoride and other preventative cleaning practices.
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What types of filling materials are available?
Several types of materials are available for fillings, including gold, porcelain, silver amalgam (a mixture of mercury with silver, tin, zinc, and copper), tooth-colored plastic, and composite resin. A material containing glass particles, glass ionomer, is also used similarly to composite resin fillings. The type used depends on your dentist, the extent and location of tooth decay, and sometimes your insurance coverage.
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Who qualifies for dental sealants?
Sealants are designed for healthy teeth that have not yet developed cavities. In most cases, they’re placed on permanent molars shortly after they come in (around the ages of 6 and 12, respectively). However, adults can also choose to get sealants. It may be that their childhood sealants came off, or they’re starting to develop cavities in other teeth for the first time.
Investing in affordable dental sealants can help you prevent more extensive (and expensive) oral health treatments in the future.
More questions about fillings or sealants?
If you’re interested in cavity fillings or dental sealants, use the links below to schedule an appointment or to contact our office with any questions about the process.
