RestorativeTreatments

Fillings | Root Canal Treatments

Why should I consider white fillings?

Most people have fillings of one sort or another in their mouths. Nowadays fillings are not only functional, but can be natural looking as well. Many people don't want silver fillings that show when they laugh or smile because they are more conscious about the way they look.

Are white fillings as good as silver amalgam fillings?

White fillings have always been considered less long lasting than silver amalgam fillings. But there are now new materials available with properties comparable to silver amalgam, and these are proving to be very successful. The life expectancy of a white filling can depend greatly on where it is in your mouth and how heavily your teeth come together when you bite. Your dentist can advise you on the life expectancy of your fillings.

Is it worth replacing my amalgam fillings with white ones?

It is usually best to change fillings, only when your dentist decides that an old filling needs replacing but it is perfectly possible to replace them for other reasons such as cosmetics. Sometimes, in the case of a large restoration on back teeth, a crown or inlay would be more practical.

Root Canal Treatments
Root canal treatment is a skilled and time-consuming procedure. Most courses of treatment will involve two or more visits to your dentist.
At the first appointment, the infected pulp is removed. Any abscesses, which may be present, can also be drained at this time. The root canal is then cleaned and shaped ready for the filling. A temporary filling is put in and the tooth is left to settle.

The tooth is checked at a later visit and when all the infection has cleared, the tooth is permanently filled.

What if I don't have the treatment?

The alternative is to have the tooth out. Once the pulp is destroyed, it can't heal and it is not recommended to leave an infected tooth in the mouth. Although some people would prefer an extraction, it is usually best to keep as many natural teeth as possible.

What about aftercare?

Root treated teeth should be given just the same care as any other tooth. But, they will be more fragile than before RCT, so it is often wise and particularly with back teeth, to provide special strenghtening which may involve strenghening inside the root, often, but not always, combining this with a crown.