Cosmetic dental fillings are a material the dentist uses to address certain problems caused by decay — such as a deformed tooth surface and gaps opening up between the teeth — restoring the teeth's shape and their ability to perform their function, and also helping the teeth recover their aesthetic appearance.
Cosmetic fillings have proved successful in treating the front teeth and have achieved great success in preserving the beauty of the jaw and the face.
Are cosmetic fillings suitable alongside orthodontic brackets?
Some people ask whether the presence of orthodontic brackets makes cosmetic fillings unsuitable. The answer is no — the presence of brackets does not prevent a cosmetic filling, but it does require extra effort from the dentist, who will need the cooperation of the orthodontic specialist.
The cosmetic filling procedure and what follows it
The cosmetic filling procedure is one of the simplest dental procedures, during which the patient feels no pain; it is carried out under local anaesthetic. After the procedure the patient may feel numbness and be unable to move the mouth muscles normally, but this sensation will wear off within three hours at most.
In ordinary cases the patient feels no severe pain after cosmetic fillings are placed, but in some cases the patient may feel sudden sensitivity in the filled teeth to hot and cold food and drink; these symptoms fade gradually within 3 days.
In some cases, after the filling procedure, the patient may feel something hard beneath the tooth or excess material on the filling. In that case the dentist should be visited promptly so that the filling surface can be levelled and adjusted.
Steps of the cosmetic filling procedure
The dentist begins by injecting local anaesthetic into the patient's gum. Once satisfied that the tooth is numb, the dentist removes the decayed portion and cleans it thoroughly before placing the filling. If the decay is close to the tooth nerve, the dentist applies a special medication to protect the nerve, and then places the filling precisely, shaping and polishing it so that it matches the rest of the teeth.
The difference between a cosmetic filling and a traditional silver amalgam filling
• Cosmetic fillings contain no metals in their composition, unlike traditional fillings.
• Cosmetic fillings bond directly to the tooth surface, which strengthens the tooth — unlike silver amalgam or traditional fillings.
• Cosmetic fillings do not require removing much tooth enamel, unlike the traditional filling which requires drilling into the tooth cavity.
• Cosmetic fillings are considered the most suitable option for restoring the front teeth, because their colour is indistinguishable from that of natural teeth.
Types of cosmetic fillings
1 — Coloured composite fillings:
This type is distinguished by an appearance close to natural teeth, and is considered among the types most suited to light curing, which creates the bond between the tooth and the filling.
2 — Glass ionomer fillings:
This type is made from acrylic and fluoride, which has some ability to resist tooth decay, so it is preferred for use with children. This type is relatively weak but hardens over time, which is why it is used for filling tooth roots; however, it does not last more than three years.
3 — Porcelain and ceramic fillings:
This type is made from porcelain, ceramic and glass. This filling is strong and durable and is usually used in cases requiring a robust filling. It lasts for a period that may reach 25 years and gives a beautiful appearance.
4 — Gold fillings:
The gold filling is among the oldest cosmetic dental fillings, once used for adornment and decoration. It is very strong and durable and lasts for periods that may reach 20 years. Despite its splendid appearance, this type of filling has become a thing of the past because of its very high cost, tied as it is to the price of gold.
5 — Silver fillings:
The silver filling is also among the oldest types of cosmetic filling, but it differs from the gold filling in being cheaper. It too is strong and durable, but some studies have warned of the possibility of mercury leaching from the silver into the body and causing harm to the nervous system or the kidneys.
6 — Composite fillings:
Composite fillings are strong, and their colour also matches the colour of the teeth. They are made from powdered glass quartz, silica particles or other ceramic particles with resin added, and are set with a blue light that gives them the required hardness.
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Advantages of cosmetic fillings:
1 — They last a long time
2 — Their natural colour matches the colour of the teeth in the jaw
3 — They are easy to care for
4 — They have no side effects, unlike traditional fillings which contain mercury
5 — They are strong and durable.
Drawbacks of cosmetic fillings:
Just as we reviewed the advantages, here we review the drawbacks or disadvantages of cosmetic fillings:
1 — They are not suitable for large cavities, because of the difficulty of placing and securing them
2 — Cosmetic fillings suit the front teeth more than the molars, since the front teeth are not used for chewing food, which requires force to break food down.
3 — Cosmetic fillings deteriorate faster than silver fillings when used in a large cavity.
4 — These fillings may become stained as a result of certain drinks, foods or smoking, which in some cases makes replacement necessary.
5 — They require a skilled dentist with wide experience
6 — The cosmetic filling is not a permanent filling and may need replacing, although it is durable and lasts many years.
7 — Their cost is high, given the effort involved and because filling types and their prices vary.
The price of cosmetic fillings for the front teeth:
The price of a front-tooth filling depends on several factors, including:
1 — The type of filling used.
2 — The dentist's experience and skill, which depend on the number of cases in which they have used cosmetic fillings and on the final result.
3 — The price of cosmetic fillings rises according to the number of teeth needing filling — the greater the number, the greater the cost.
4 — Costs also rise in some cases involving back teeth or molars that are difficult to reach.
5 — The clinic and the quality of the equipment used, how modern that equipment is, and the various services the clinic offers.
6 — Health insurance and whether it covers cosmetic filling treatment or not, since most insurance companies refuse to cover the cost of cosmetic procedures.
Just as we have reviewed the advantages of cosmetic dental fillings, we have also reviewed their drawbacks and disadvantages. In every case the final result depends on the experience and competence of the dentist, which is why we recommend Dr. Amr Helmi, member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry and holder of the American Fellowship in Cosmetic Dentistry, who is considered the best dentist in Egypt.
