How Do Dentists Decide Which Filling Material to Use?

By Rodney Alles | Published on October 18, 2011 | 0 Comments

Dentists these days have a number of options when it comes to repairing patients’ teeth that have been ravaged by cavities and decay. According to Garland orthodontics and dentistry specialist Dr. Rodney Alles of Ideal Dental and Orthodontics, the specific procedure or treatment that a dentist recommends for a patient with cavities will depend on the amount of decay in the mouth and which teeth have become damaged as a result.

The size of the cavity is much more important than where the cavity is located, says Dr. Alles, especially when it comes to deciding which type of material to use for the filling.

If a patient has been coming in for regular checkups and exams every six months, then any cavity or decay that pops up will be caught before it gets too large. This is the real benefit to coming in for regularly scheduled appointments, since it allows the dentist to catch minor issues before they become more serious and difficult to repair.

Dr. Alles says that he treats most small cavities with composite fillings. The Garland orthodontics and dentistry expert says that small cavities can usually be repaired quite easily with composite fillings – as opposed to the full coverage crowns that can be required if a cavity is only caught once it has become very large.

Although Dr. Alles rarely uses amalgam fillings these days, he says the decrease in usage has more to do with patient preferences and less to do with any perceived health risks. The reason he no longer uses amalgam fillings in his office is simply because patients say they no longer want metal fillings in their mouths. Aesthetics aside, Dr. Alles says that amalgam fillings are just as safe and effective as composite fillings.

The benefit to composite fillings, and the reason why dentistry and orthodontics experts in Garland say so many people request them, is because the composite material is white just like natural teeth. Therefore, people can have composite fillings in their mouth without anyone ever noticing those fillings when they smile or open wide. The aesthetics of a composite filling cannot be beat, says Dr. Alles.

For more information on the benefits and drawbacks of both composite and amalgam fillings, Dr. Alles recommends that people contact his office in Garland. The orthodontics and dentistry expert also says that people need to make sure to remain vigilant about brushing and flossing their teeth each night, since missing just one night could open a person up and put him or her at an increased risk for developing decay.

*Disclaimer: The information on this website is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your healthcare provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with an appropriate healthcare provider.

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