Countless people suffer from tooth cavities every year. One effective tooth cavity treatment involves the use of dental filling. Amalgam is one such filling that is popular in such procedures.
What is dental amalgam filling?
The silver-colored filling often used in dental procedures as part of tooth cavity treatment is dental amalgam filling. It is a mix of several metals like tin, silver, copper, and mercury. The mercury used in this filling is elemental mercury and it binds the other metals together, forming a strong, durable filling.
How is amalgam filling used?
This tooth cavity treatment begins with the affected tooth being drilled and all the decayed matter being removed. The tooth cavity is shaped to receive the filling.
Then the dentist carefully mixes the elemental mercury with the alloy powder. The resulting putty is used to fill the tooth cavity. Once placed, the filling quickly hardens.
Who needs this treatment?
There are sure signs to watch out for, which can indicate the need for a dental filling. These include increased sensitivity of the teeth, the appearance of dark spots, too much food getting stuck in a particular area of the mouth, pain in the teeth, etc. However, it is best to consult a doctor in case of doubt. Request an appointment at Apollo Dental, Hyderabad. Call 18001020288 to book an appointment.
Why is amalgam filling done?
An amalgam filling is done when the cavity is causing pain and discomfort. It prevents further discomfort and the possibility of infections. It also treats tooth decay and keeps the tooth from sustaining further damage.
What are the benefits of amalgam filling?
Amalgam fillings are an effective tooth cavity treatment because they use strong substances that last for years. These can be used to fill very large cavities because such fillings are very durable. It is also comparatively less expensive than any other type of tooth cavity treatment.
What are the risks?
Amalgam filling uses elemental mercury as the bonding material for the alloy. Even though this is safe, it has been known to get transformed into organic mercury sometimes. Since the body has different levels of tolerance for different types of mercury, this is always a risk with amalgam fillings.
Conclusion
The amalgam filling is a popular recourse for teeth cavities. They are usually low-risk and have the advantage of being durable. It is effective and alleviates the problem caused by cavities. This is a silver-coloured filling made up of a mix of tin, silver, copper, and mercury. The mercury used is non-organic.
Avoid using mouthwash and toothpaste with alcohol. Brush your teeth regularly but gently, and make sure that you keep your mouth clean by brushing after meals. Visit a dentist near you to ensure proper oral health. Basically, amalgam fillings require the maintenance of proper oral health and hygiene.
It is absolutely fine to use a toothbrush once the fillings have hardened. As long as no extreme force is applied, brushing areas with amalgam fillings is not a problem.
Amalgam fillings take about 24 hours to harden completely. This means it is advisable to wait for the said amount of time before undertaking any hard chewing or brushing.
