Dental Fillings are used to restore teeth with smaller damages. Dental fillings are most commonly used to treat small cavities so that they don’t turn into bigger dental problems down the road. Besides cavities, dental fillings can also be used by your dentist to treat cracks and fracture in teeth.

If left untreated the tooth decay may need serious treatments including root canals or may also need tooth extraction. During dental filling the decayed tooth material is removed and the tooth is cleaned before covering it with filling. The dental filling is usually made of composite resin that resembles natural teeth. Other materials that can be used for fillings are amalgam, porcelain or metals like gold and silver. Wondering if you need a dental filling? Here are few signs that you do:

Toothache:  If you experience a sudden throbbing pain while chewing or biting food, it may be a sign that you need dental filling. Sensitivity to certain food especially cold beverages or ice cream may also be an indication that you require to see your dentist and get a filling.

Tooth Crazing: Sometimes you might have noticed vertical lines on your tooth enamel. This might appear due to various reasons including biting nails or grinding your teeth. The vertical lines may darken over time, dentists can cover these crazed lines with tooth filling to restore the natural look of the teeth. This procedure is popularly known as cosmetic bonding.

Chipped Teeth: As we age the enamel of our teeth wears down, sometimes this causes chipping of teeth and can lead to further damage. The flat biting edges may also darken with time. Luckily, with the use of tooth colored bonding these cracks can be filled and restore the damaged teeth as well as prevent further damage.

In case you are experiencing any of these signs, it is time to visit your nearest dental clinic and book an appointment to get dental filling.