What are amalgams? What is a seal or restoration? It is a way to repair a tooth damaged by decay and restore normal form and its function. When the dentist performs a shutter or restoration, first removing carious material, clean the affected area, then fills the cavity with a restorative material. To close spaces where bacteria can stay, the restoration helps prevent future caries. The materials used can be gold, porcelain, resin composite (the same tooth-colored restorations), and amalgam (alloy of mercury, silver, copper, Tin and sometimes zinc). What is the best type of restoration? The best type of restoration, will be the most suitable for you, and this will be determined by factors such as the extent of the repair, allergies to certain materials, place of restoration and cost.
Considerations on different materials and restorations: Gold: carried out by order to a laboratory and it is then cemented in place. The inlays with gold are well tolerated by gingival tissues and can last more than 20 years. Due to these reasons, a large number of experts in the field believes that gold is the best restorative material. However, it is the most expensive option and demand several Office visits. Amalgams (with silver): are resistant to wear and relatively inexpensive. Due to their dark color, they are more notorious than porcelain or composite restorations and therefore not often applied in areas highly exposed to view, as anterior teeth. Resin (polymer) composite: achieved the same color as your own teeth and therefore used when it is important to maintain the natural look. The ingredients are mixed and placed directly into the cavity where harden.
Composites may not be the ideal material for extensive restorations because they chipping and wear out with time. Also, they can stain with coffee, tea or tobacco and not last as long as other types of restorations. It usually lasts between 3 and 10 years. Porcelain: is called inlays or onlays, inlays are made on order in a laboratory and then cement to the tooth. They can simulate the own tooth color and resist staining. A restoration of porcelain usually covers most of the tooth. The cost is similar to the gold. If a caries or fracture has damaged a large portion of tooth, the placement of a Crown or case will be recommended. Caries that have reached the nerve, is treated in two ways: through a root canal treatment (in which the damaged nerve is removed) or a procedure called Bowden of the pulp or pulp protection direct (by means of which are attempts to keep alive nerve). What happens when a restore is performed? When the dentist decides to restore a cavity, first remove caries and clean the affected area. Then, it is placed in any cavity materials described above. How do I know if I need a filling or restoration? Only your dentist is trained to determine if a caries requires it. During periodic inspection, the dentist uses a small mirror to examine the surface of each tooth. Everything that has an abnormal appearance then it will be carefully controlled with special instruments. Your dentist will also take x-ray plates throughout the mouth or a section. The type of treatment that you choose will depend on the extent and the harm caused tooth decay.