Plaque- A sticky almost colourless layer of bacteria that forms on your teeth. It mixes with sugar in food to produce decay causing acids when the decay creates a cavity, then the tooth needs a fillings.
Why Do You Need Fillings?
Because of the onset of the cavity the process in painless. Most people do not have their teeth filled on time when the cavity gets near the pulp (nerves etc) then there is sensitivity or occasional pain on chewing or mastication if still untreated, severe pain or swelling results.
Types of Fillings?
Basically filling involves the dentist cleaning the site of the decay by drilling out the decay and shaping the tooth to hold the filling materials.
The materials for filling needs to be durable and withstand the oral environment. The size and location of the cavity will also determine the filling material.
Generally gold is most durable and accepted by most people in any part of the mouth. Metal-alloy called amalgam is next to gold but is used mostly for the back teeth.
Composites and Glass ionomer composite are tooth coloured resins used for both the front and the back teeth these days. Their durability is being improved upon by the day.
How Long Will Fillings Last?
On the whole, gold lasts longer followed by amalgam while glass ionomor and composite come next. However, a filling can last from 5 years to a lifetime, depending on its location, the material used, the depth of the cavity before filling and the care you give to your teeth.
To have a long lasting filling it is advisable to have a dental check up regularly to detect the cavity on time for a good and long lasting filling to be done.