Once more, with filling!
MANILA, Philippines - Did you know that cavities are among the world’s top health problems for both children and adults?
According to Gan Advanced Osseointegration Center (GAOC) managing director and orthodontist Dr. Cherrie Anne Cruz, one way to treat cavities or damaged teeth is to fill the hole or misshapen portion with restorative materials, also known as filling (pasta).
“The filling can be made out of materials such as porcelain or metals such as gold, titanium, or amalgam,” says Dr. Cruz.
An amalgam is an alloy that usually contains silver, tin, copper, zinc, and mercury; this combination, when mixed and bonded together, forms a strong, stable substance that is suitable for helping teeth function properly and withstand the forces of biting and chewing.
Dr. Cruz points out that the USA Food and Drug Administration issued a statement in 2002 which states that “no valid scientific evidence has shown that (dental) amalgams cause harm to patients with dental restorations, except in the rare case of allergy.”
Metals such as gold and titanium are compatible with the human body. For instance, titanium is often used to replace or repair broken bones. However, metal fillings have a tendency to darken over time and can be very conspicuous because they are not the same color as teeth.
“Those who prefer non-metal fillings can opt for composite-resin materials, which are made of strong, durable, and bio-compatible plastic ingredients,” says Dr. Cruz.
Composite-resin is bonded with the tooth using a laser light-curing apparatus that emits light at specific wavelengths to activate bonding on the molecular level. “This bond helps restore the tooth to near-original physical integrity.”
Moreover, composites can be made in a wide range of tooth colors and translucencies to match a person’s existing tooth color, which allows almost invisible restoration of teeth.
This restorative dentistry procedure is available at GAOC, a premier dental center that specializes in general and cosmetic dentistry and dental implantology. With GAOC offering these options to patients — coupled with thorough dental care by experienced dentists using the latest advancements in dental technology — it ensures its patients get the attention and treatment they deserve.
