Restorative Fillings Treatment Services in Nairobi, Kenya

Restorative Fillings Treatment Services in Kenya

Fillings are a common dental treatment that fix a hole in your tooth caused by decay.

What Is the filling treatment?

Fillings help to restore your damaged teeth to their normal shape and function. Depending on the damage to your tooth, dentists use several types of fillings. This is usually based on the material that your dentist uses to fill the cavity left by the decay. Some of the more common filling types include composite, amalgam and gold fillings. In many cases you’ll be able to choose which filling type you prefer.

How I can know that I need a filling?

There are common signs you may need a filling include:

Sensitivity of the tooth

Pressure felt within the tooth

Sensitivity to sugary foods

Toothache or pain, in or near the tooth

Dental floss that keeps tearing in a certain spot in your mouth

A hole in the tooth that you can visibly see or feel when you touch it

It’s important that you see a dentist regularly for routine check-ups because not all decay and problems that might need a filling have symptoms or pain. Most symptoms start silently in the early stages and if found early usually mean a simple, cost effective and less invasive treatment is all that’s needed. Prevention really is the key. That’s why it’s so important to visit a dentist regularly.

What Are the types of fillings?

There are many filling types

Amalgam fillings: Dental amalgam fillings have been used to fill teeth for over 150 years. Amalgam is what we know as traditional silver fillings. They are not actually made of silver but a combination of a few metals including silver, tin, copper and mercury. They are a low-cost filling mostly used for large cavities in back molars because of their color. An amalgam filling will darken over time but can last many years before it needs replacing, typically between 10 and 15 years.
Composite white fillings: Composite or synthetic white fillings are popular because of their natural appearance and strength. They typically last up to five years. A composite filling will be matched to the color of your teeth as closely as possible. They are almost impossible to detect and are an excellent replacement for stained, chipped or leaking fillings.
Gold fillings :Gold fillings are very strong and durable and typically last 10 to 15 years and sometimes longer. Gold was the most popular filling material in the 1800s. Some people prefer gold fillings because of its appearance, and it is sometimes seen as a status symbol.
Porcelain fillings :Porcelain or ceramic fillings are sometimes known as onlays or inlays. They have a natural appearance and are matched to your tooth color. They are designed for use on back molars that are under strong chewing pressure. They can last up to 20 years or more due to their strength and wear resistance.
Glass ionomer fillings :Glass ionomer is a tooth-colored material that was originally used as a dental cement for gluing crowns onto teeth. It’s basically a flexible paste that can act as a sealant. It’s the cheapest filling material but also the weakest. Because of this it’s mostly used as a temporary filling or as a foundation filling under composite white filling material. It’s also used on baby teeth and non-biting surfaces of teeth such as decay around the gum lines.