Teeth enamel discoloration can be caused by staining, aging, or chemical
damage to teeth. Some of the more common causes of teeth discoloration
are medications, coffee, tea or cigarettes. People who drink significant
amounts of cola soft drinks can experience similar staining.
Aside from staining, there are other factors that can affect the color
of an individual's teeth. Genetics can play a role. Some people have
naturally brighter enamel than others. Disease can also be a factor
and certain medications can cause a discoloration of the teeth. If
you suspect that there is an underlying medical cause for your teeth
discoloration, be sure to inform your cosmetic dentist.
Fillings
for Dental Cavities :
At some point
or other in ours lives, most of us wind up with a cavity. In
most cases, a cavity calls for your dentist to remove the decay
and to fill in the tooth area that was removed. There have been
a number of advances in the field over the past few years, so
if you're one of the lucky ones and haven't had a cavity in
a while, you should read up on what is available today so that
you understand the choices available to you.
Types of Dental
Fillings
Composite Resin Fillings :
There
are no known health risks of receiving composite fillings.
Composite resin dental fillings were created as an alternative
to traditional metal dental fillings. Composite Resin
Dental Fillings are strong, durable, and make for a very
natural looking smile. Many dental insurance plans cover
their use.
Amalgam Fillings
:
TAmalgam
fillings may contain mercury, and are often referred to
as metal fillings. Their safety has been in question for
a number of years due to concerns over the absorption
of elemental mercury contributing to several diseases,
including Alzheimer's, multiple sclerosis, dementia and
arthritis. The FDA investigations have not proven that
the minute amount of mercury vapors released from silver
fillings is a health hazard. Amalgam fillings are a mixture
of mercury liquid and small pieces of silver and other
metals such as copper, tin and zinc.
Inlays and
Onlays :
If
over half of your molar tooth's biting surface is decayed
an inlay or onlay may be a better option than a filling.
These options are basically for when more than a filling
is needed but less than a crown will do. An inlay is placed
in between the cusps of the tooth, whereas an only will
cover one or more of the cusps. They can be made of a
gold alloy, porcelain or tooth-colored resin and are cemented
into place.
What are Composite Resin
Fillings?
Most of
us have had amalgam fillings (silver) or gold filling
restorations. Some amalgam fillings were what we have
called mercury fillings, as some amalgam fillings contained
mercury. Metal fillings were effective, but very conspicuous
and tended to blacken in color over time.
Composite resin dental fillings were created as an alternative
to traditional metal dental fillings. Tooth fillings colored
to look like a natural tooth are known as Composite Resin
Dental Fillings are made of a plastic dental resin. Composite
Resin Dental Fillings are strong, durable, and make for
a very natural looking smile. Many dental insurance plans
cover their use.
Who is a Candidate for Tooth-Colored
Composite Resin Fillings?
If you have a cavity in a tooth, broken fillings, mercury
fillings, or amalgam fillings, this type of dental filling
is well worth discussing with your dentist. Mercury fillings
or amalgam fillings can easily be removed and replaced
with far more attractive colored fillings. These fillings
actually strengthen your tooth beyond the level it had
with the amalgam fillings.
Composite resins may also be used to enhance the appearance
of any tooth, which is a tooth bonding procedure. The
composite resin will strengthen and enhance the natural
tooth structure as it does with use as a dental filling.
(You can read more about a related procedure, tooth bonding,
here.)
Composite resin dental fillings were created as an alternative to
traditional metal dental fillings. Tooth fillings colored to look
like a natural tooth are known as Composite Resin Dental Fillings,
are made of a plastic dental resin. Composite Resin Dental Fillings
are strong, durable, and make for a very natural looking smile. Many
dental insurance plans cover their use.
How are composite resin fillings accomplished?
Your dentist will give you a local anesthetic to numb the area.
The dentist then prepares an
access to the decayed area of the tooth and removes the decayed
portions. This is accomplished
with traditional drills, micro air abrasion or even with a dental
laser. With a composite filling,
your dentist will preserve more of the natural tooth as the
composite resin can be bonded to
the tooth in thin layers. If your tooth's decayed area is close
to a nerve, a special liner will be
used to protect the nerve.
A special dental material is then used to open up the pores
of your tooth's dentin and roughens
up the surface of the exposed enamel. This achieves better and
stronger bond. The bond resin
is applied to stick the composite to your tooth. This material
is made of the same dental resin as the composite however it
is much more fluid. This layer is then hardened and cured with
a very bright light.
Corry of them changing color. Veneers are typically done in
only two one and a half hour long appointments, and can actually
strengthComposite resin fillings are applied in thin layers,
and slowly built up to form the complete filling. A bright dental
light will harden each layer before the next is applied.
Once your filling is completed, your dentist will use a special paper,
articulating paper, to adjust the height of your dental filling and
that your bite remains correct. Your tooth is then polished.
If such a filling is not going to be enough to protect your damaged
tooth, or if your tooth enamel is thin and will easily fracture, or
if your tooth has had a root canal that weakened your tooth condition,
your tooth may require additional protection such as a crown.
