Dental fillings, Inlays & Onlays in Finchley
Our Dental fillings, Inlays & Onlays Services
Fillings are used to fill in cavities in the teeth caused by dental decay or trauma, restoring the ability to bite and chew and restore the appearance of the teeth. This is caused by ineffective brushing and flossing and a high sugar diet, dental decay dissolves the teeth. As teeth cannot self-repair, this decay leads to the formation of cavities. Ignoring dental decay and cavities can have serious consequences for your overall dental hygiene, but timely treatment with a filling can prevent further deterioration.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the types of fillings?
There are a number of different filling materials, including:
• Composite - Tooth coloured and the dentist can choose a shade to match your own teeth
• Amalgam - Silver coloured, made from mercury and a silver alloy.
• Gold - Gold coloured, long lasting and hard wearing that can be placed within the biting surface (Inlay) or over a larger area (Onlay). This filling is made in a laboratory and therefore will require two appointments.
• Porcelain - Tooth coloured, long lasting and hard wearing that can be placed within the biting surface (Inlay) or over a larger area (Onlay). This filling is made in a laboratory and therefore will require two appointments.
How long will a filling last?
The length of time a filling will last can vary from patient to patient, however on average fillings are likely to last anywhere between 5 and 25 years. The durability of the fillings will depend on the type of filling and materials you chose, how well you look after them and day to day general hygiene habits.
How is a filling done?
The procedure for having a filling done is fairly simple and straightforward for our dental professionals. Once you are nice and comfortable, it’s likely that we will use a local anaesthetic to numb the area we are treating so that we can remove all the parts of the bad tooth. Secondly, our dentists will make sure to clean out the area to make sure that the remaining tooth is completely free of any bacteria that could cause infection. Finally, the tooth is then filled with the material of your choice.
Are there any side effects?
As with many dental procedures, tooth sensitivity is a common side effect in the immediate days after the treatment. Patients can find teeth are sensitive to hot and cold liquids and sweet foods, and we recommend avoiding these until the teeth have settled. Sensitivity can last for one or two weeks, but if it does not, a check-up may be necessary.
