Cavity Fillings – Stronger Fillings For Longer Lasting Tooth Repairs

Many adults and children have cavity fillings but have no idea exactly what kind of material is being put into the hole in a tooth and what the filling is made from. A cavity filling was made from metal-based filler for many years, but the silver coloring didn’t do much for the look of teeth with fillings. People with cavities are becoming more aware of the appearance of their teeth and would like to see a new kind of cavity fill that closely matches the color of teeth as well as forms a lasting attachment to the surface of the tooth. In order to find an appropriate new filling for holes in teeth, researchers are studying dentin, which is a calcareous material harder and denser than bone that comprises the bulk of a tooth.

Today many dentists are using a plastic-based filling material to fill cavities, but the permanency of the material that is being used isn’t as long lasting as both dentists and patients would like. Research is being done to discover exactly what kind of chemicals can work well with dentin in order to find a combination of material that will form a more airtight, lasting bond between the tooth’s surface and the filling material. The ultimate goal in the new filling will be to have the fillings to last as long and secure as metal in each cavity hole.

The complex nature of finding a corrective material for filling a cavity lies in the mineral makeup of the surface of a tooth. Dentin plays a key role in filling cavities because that is the material in which filler must for a bond with. Dentists currently use an acid to remove minerals from the surface of a cavity in order to make a tooth more responsive to existing filling compositions.

Plastic filling material in cavities is currently put into holes in teeth and then allowed to become hard, fixing onto the unprotected structure of the tooth. The challenge researchers face is to study a number of acids to determine which kind will work in forming an effective and permanent bond to fill the hole without causing damage to the structure of teeth. The ultimate goal in filling cavities will be to provide patients with a natural looking tooth with a filling that will last for a very long time.

Author Notes:

Sophie Griffin contributes and publishes news editorial to http://www.teeth-whitening-smiles.com.  She has recently graduated from college, and is now studying as a dental hygenists. Sophie plans to continue her career in dental sales, specializing in whitening and cosmetic dentistry.