Aesthetic Dental Fillings for Tooth Decay (Cavities)

Dental filling is an excellent solution to effectively address tooth decay, chipped teeth, gaps between teeth, and misaligned teeth. Do not overlook this method if you desire strong and healthy teeth free from damage. Explore and discover more with Gangwhoo!

What is a Dental Filling?

Dental filling is a cosmetic dental procedure where the dentist uses a material to fill the damaged, decayed, chipped, or holed areas of a tooth. This prevents the invasion of disease-causing bacteria and restores the shape and chewing function of the damaged teeth.

Dental filling materials are safe materials approved for use by the Ministry of Health, such as porcelain, gold, Amalgam, Composite, metal, or GIC, etc.

The dental filling process is safe and causes no pain or prolonged swelling/inflammation. Depending on the extent of tooth damage, the dentist will use an appropriate amount of anesthetic to ensure the patient’s comfort during the procedure.

When is Aesthetic Dental Filling Needed?

Dental specialists indicate that aesthetic dental fillings are typically applied in the following cases:

• Mild tooth decay, black spots, or small cavities appearing on the teeth should be filled to prevent bacterial growth.
• Mild erosion of the tooth neck, which creates a disadvantage for the teeth, can lead to bleeding gums when brushing, and sensitivity to hot/cold food.
• If you have severe tooth neck erosion, causing loose teeth and a risk of tooth loss, your dentist will advise and choose a more suitable treatment option than aesthetic filling, such as porcelain crowns. This is because fillings cannot fix loose teeth or preserve natural teeth as effectively as porcelain crowns.
• Accidents causing broken or chipped teeth alter the original shape of the teeth, leading to a lack of confidence, sensitivity when eating cold/hot foods, and affecting chewing function.
• Gaps between teeth, or widely spaced teeth lack aesthetic appeal and easily trap food, forming plaque that leads to tartar and tooth decay. Aesthetic filling can close these gaps.
• Replacing old fillings: This method is effective. Over time, old fillings will gradually wear down due to chewing activity and slowly chip away, or even fall out completely. Therefore, after a long period, dentists will contact you to recommend refilling your teeth.

Common Dental Filling Materials

Common dental filling materials include Amalgam, metal, GIC, Composite, porcelain, gold, etc. Depending on the condition of the tooth and the location to be filled, the dentist will advise on the appropriate filling method and material to improve and correct current dental imperfections.

Composite

This is currently a widely chosen filling material due to its color matching natural teeth. Therefore, Composite is highly favored for aesthetic dental fillings. It also boasts high compressive strength, wear resistance, and high force tolerance. It has high biocompatibility, is safe, non-irritating, and does not chip when chewing forcefully.

Amalgam

Amalgam filling material effectively improves tooth imperfections, ensuring good chewing ability and strong, durable teeth. This material is also highly rated for its safety with the body but has lower aesthetic appeal, so it is often used for filling decayed teeth.

GIC Material

Another dental filling material that is of a medium-low grade, lower than Composite but higher than Amalgam. However, GIC has the advantage of containing Fluoride, which helps prevent tooth decay. Moreover, it also has a color similar to natural teeth and is affordable for many people, making it quite popular.

Gold and Precious Metals

A type of dental filling material with greater hardness and durability than Amalgam is gold and precious metals. It offers long-lasting use, durability, and resistance to chipping, but often lacks high aesthetic appeal.

Porcelain Material

Materials made from porcelain are also used for dental fillings and are often custom-made to fit the patient’s oral condition, making cleaning very easy. They are also highly regarded for their good aesthetics and long-lasting use, potentially lasting 15-20 years.

Advantages of Dental Fillings

Dental filling is an aesthetic dental procedure that corrects tooth imperfections and offers many other outstanding advantages, such as:

• Effective Correction of Imperfections: Effectively addresses and improves issues such as tooth decay, chipped teeth, fractured teeth, misaligned teeth, and large gaps between teeth.
• Restores Original Shape: The filling material has a natural shine, color, and texture. This makes the filled tooth look more natural and aesthetically pleasing.
• Improved Chewing Function: Restores chewing function, which is often affected and causes difficulty in eating. Helps improve chewing function, allowing you to eat more comfortably.
• Protects Enamel from Bacteria: Helps cover and protect damaged tooth areas, reducing tooth decay and preventing other oral diseases.
• Prevents Tooth Decay: Prevents bacteria from entering and prevents tooth decay from recurring. Effectively improves oral health, reducing the risk of future dental problems.

Dental Filling Procedure

Step 1: Patient’s Tooth Examination

The dentist will examine the teeth and determine the extent of damage and the areas that need filling. Filling is typically performed only if there is minimal tooth tissue damage and the pulp is not yet affected; if the pulp is damaged, root canal treatment will be performed first.

Step 2: Thorough Oral Cleaning

Oral cleaning with physiological saline to remove harmful bacteria and accumulated plaque around the tooth roots. Simultaneously, disinfect the areas to be filled to ensure safety and prevent inflammation.

Step 3: Treatment of Damaged Tooth Area

For teeth with cavities caused by bacteria, the dentist will use instruments to clean and remove food debris. If the condition is severe and affects the pulp, root canal treatment and anesthesia will be administered to prevent discomfort after the procedure.

Step 4: Aesthetic Dental Filling

The dentist will use filling material to fill the missing tooth areas. Then, the liquid filling material is applied to the defect until it hardens, and the material adheres firmly to the natural tooth.

Finally, a light-curing lamp emitting monochromatic light is used to increase the hardness and adhesion of the dental filling material.

Step 5: Reshaping and Polishing the Tooth Surface

Finally, the dentist will adjust the filling and proceed to reshape, removing any excess material to balance the bite. Polishing the tooth surface completes the dental filling process.

Price List for Dental Fillings at Gangwhoo Aesthetic Hospital

At Gangwhoo Dental Clinic, the price for dental fillings ranges from 300,000 VND to 3,000,000 VND per tooth. For a more detailed understanding, you can refer to the aesthetic dental filling price list below.

Do’s and Don’ts After Aesthetic Dental Filling

After a dental filling, you should follow a proper oral care routine and a reasonable diet to help the filling last longer and stay beautiful.

• Do not eat for 2 hours immediately after the filling to allow the filling to dry and harden, adhering firmly to the tooth.
• Avoid foods high in starch and sugar that cause tooth decay, and foods that are too chewy or hard, which can easily break or dislodge the filling.
• Do not consume stimulants, or foods that are too cold or too hot, as these can cause the filling to dislodge or expand. You should eat liquid, soft, low-sugar, and low-starch foods.
• You should maintain clean oral hygiene, brush your teeth after every meal, at least twice a day. Brush correctly by tilting the brush 45 degrees with moderate, gentle pressure.
• You should rinse your mouth with physiological saline many times a day, especially after each meal.
• Use dental floss or a soft-bristled toothbrush to remove food stuck between your teeth.
• You should avoid chewing or biting too hard or grinding your teeth, as this will put pressure on the tooth and make the filling prone to dislodging. To give the filling more time to recover, you can switch to chewing on the other side of your mouth.
• Follow the dentist’s instructions and advice after the filling to avoid infection, and attend regular check-ups as scheduled to inspect the filling. You should then have a dental check-up every 3 to 6 months.

Note: For cases of large tooth fractures or severe tooth decay where fillings are difficult to perform, a dentist should be consulted to choose an appropriate treatment plan. Typically, the dentist will consider aesthetic dental fillings versus porcelain dental restoration methods that offer long-term benefits and protect tooth health.

Some Questions Regarding Aesthetic Dental Fillings

Why You Should Get Dental Fillings at Gangwhoo Aesthetic Hospital

If you desire strong, even, and beautiful teeth, then trust Gangwhoo Aesthetic Hospital. It’s an aesthetic facility trusted by a large number of clients. Here are some key highlights when you choose Gangwhoo to entrust your “damaged” teeth.

• The hospital prides itself on having a team of highly skilled and specialized dental professionals. All dentists have over 15 years of experience and received formal training at universities.
• Gangwhoo consistently focuses on building modern facilities and updating its system with state-of-the-art equipment and machinery. For dentistry, the hospital utilizes advanced AI computed X-ray technology, delivering optimal results.
• The aesthetic procedure adheres to standards, with every step ensuring safety in a closed, sterile environment. After using aesthetic beauty and orthodontic services, clients receive dedicated care and guidance to maintain long-lasting results.
• We provide attentive, thorough, and enthusiastic customer service, always aiming to support clients for a satisfying experience.

In summary, dental filling is a safe, convenient, effective, and aesthetically pleasing dental procedure. If you are also experiencing damaged teeth, don’t let the condition worsen; visit Gangwhoo Aesthetic Hospital for early consultation and treatment.