The Prevention and Treatment Of Gum DiseaseThe Prevention and Treatment Of Gum Disease


About Me

The Prevention and Treatment Of Gum Disease

My name is Hal Martin and at my last dental checkup my dentist told me that I had gum disease. My dentist gave me instructions about what I needed to do so that the gum disease wouldn't get worse and turn into periodontal disease. When I returned home, I immediately began learning everything I could about gum disease by reading dental articles online. I sure didn't want it to get worse so I knew that I needed to take action right away. In this blog, you'll learn all about gum disease including what it is, the causes and how you can help prevent it. I wanted to write this blog to get the word out to as many people about gum disease to hopefully help others have healthy gums.

Categories

Latest Posts

Veneers: Are They the Right Choice for You?
27 February 2024

When it comes to enhancing your smile, veneers are

Hybridge Dental Implants – A Revolutionary Solution For Missing Teeth
17 January 2024

Missing teeth can not only affect your oral health

Dental Issues That Require an Emergency Trip to the Dentist
11 December 2023

When it comes to dental emergencies, it's essentia

Achieving Oral Health: How Your Dentist Can Help with Gum Pain and Bad Breath
20 October 2023

Gum pain and bad breath, often interrelated, can s

Restorative Dentistry Benefits for Those with Missing Teeth
15 September 2023

Restorative dentistry offers a solution that can r

What Filling Would Work Best For Your Cavity?

If you have a cavity that needs to be filled, there are a lot of materials available for you to choose from. Here are some of the pros and cons of each to help you decide at your next dental visit.

Gold

Gold is one of the most durable materials for dental fillings since they are impervious corrosion. Some patients are able to maintain this kind of filling for a decade or more. While you may not love the aesthetics of gold, it's a great choice for back teeth since it can withstand strong chewing forces. Plus, if you have gold on molars, it won't be easily seen as anterior teeth.

The main downsides of gold are cost and galvanic shock. Galvanic shock can occur when a gold filling is placed near silver amalgam fillings. An electro-chemical current can transfer through your saliva, thus causing pain and a shock-like feeling.

Porcelain

Arguably the best part of porcelain fillings is their aesthetics. Porcelain is semi-translucent and bright, so it looks very much like your natural teeth. Like gold, it's a very durable material and can more than a decade. A downside is porcelain can be abrasive, so if it isn't set correctly, rough edges of the filling can wear down enamel. Also, like gold, it can be pretty expensive and may not be covered by insurance.

Composite

Composite is one of the most popular fillings because it is reasonably priced and aesthetically pleasing. While composite is durable for small- and medium-sized fillings, it does tend to break down with larger corrections. If you tend to grind your teeth, it can also break down more easily than other materials.

Silver Amalgam

Silver amalgam has been used in the dental industry for a very long time. It is often the least expensive material to purchase and may be covered by your dental insurance. You should try and get amalgam for smaller fillings, however, as the dentist may have to take more of your enamel away to place it.

If you foresee an inlay, onlay, or crown in the future, another material may be better. While amalgam is very safe, there is a risk of mercury gas escaping if a filling needs to be removed for these larger restorations.

Lastly, while very few people have metal allergies, there is a possibility that silver amalgam may cause a reaction. If you are unsure whether you are allergic, you can get a Metal-LTT test to see how your body responds to different metals. If you have an allergic response from the testing, it's safer to go with a different material.

Contact your dentist for more information about the pros and cons of each material used for tooth fillings.