Dental fillings provide the treatment decayed teeth need to prevent abscesses and root canals. They come in a variety of materials, including porcelain, gold, silver amalgam, ceramic, and composite to seal a tooth from infection after a thorough cleaning from a dentist. If you are nervous about receiving your first filling, learn more below.

Top 5 Myths About Dental Fillings

1. Fillings Are Only Necessary if Your Tooth Hurts

Cavities become painful only in their later stages, which increases the risk of infection in tooth nerves. Sealing cavities off before they become painful prevents many dental health problems. See your dentist every six months for a cleaning and checkup to prevent any cavities from worsening.

2. The Procedure Is Painful

Composite fillings and other types all require local anesthesia. So while you may feel a slight pinch in your jaw from the needle, you will not experience any pain during the procedure because the entire affected area will be numb. Depending on the type of anesthesia the dentist uses, you may feel numb for the next few hours.

3. Fillings Cause Tooth Fractures

Teeth naturally expand and contract in reaction to hot and cold liquids. Silver amalgam fillings have a much higher rate of temperature-related expansion and contraction compared to other filling types and can cause tooth fractures. Composite fillings, in comparison, do not fracture teeth.

4. Bacteria Can Collect Under Fillings

Bacteria collects under fillings only if there is an issue with the procedure. Fillings typically form a protective seal that keeps the tooth healthy until it is time for a replacement. How often fillings require replacing generally depends on the type; for example, composite and gold fillings last up to 15 years. 

5. Healthy Tooth Tissue Must Be Removed

How much healthy tooth structure requires removal for filling placement depends on the material used. Silver amalgam fillings require a significant portion of the healthy tooth to be removed compared to other options such as composites.
 

Brian S. Kubo, DDS, Inc., provides residents throughout Kamuela, HI, and the surrounding areas with preventive and cosmetic dentistry treatments that keep teeth healthy and beautiful. A Honolulu native, Dr. Kubo has served as one of the island’s most trusted dentists for 10 years and prides himself on offering thorough, affordable procedures. Call (808) 885-8465 to schedule an appointment, or visit the dentist online for more information. Follow him on Twitter for professional dental health tips.