Learn About White Cement Dental Fillings and How to Perform This Procedure!

White Cement Tooth Fillings, The method of filling teeth with white cement has recently become popular for treating tooth decay and fractures. In this article, we will learn about it in detail, the duration for which the filling remains stable, the steps of the procedure, its advantages, disadvantages, and the possibility of alternatives.

White Cement Tooth Fillings

White Cement Tooth Fillings

Tooth fillings with white cement are a mixture of plastic or resin with glass or other inorganic compounds such as silica or quartz. This mixture replaces the decay within the cavity of the affected tooth or seals the crack or fracture present in it.

The mixture is characterized by having the same color as the teeth, and its color does not change over time, giving the teeth a shiny, aesthetic appearance and preserving their color from changing as well. The emergence of these fillings was the optimal alternative to tooth extraction. We offer you a reliable and effective solution to enhance the health and appearance of your teeth with white cement tooth fillings at our medical center for dental care.

How Long Do White Cement Tooth Fillings Last?

White cement tooth fillings are durable and sturdy due to their unique mixture of resin and glass, and their strong bond with tooth tissues and bones thanks to the dimethacrylate material. Additionally, they do not require removing a large portion of the tooth cavity, which helps maintain strong and healthy teeth, allowing the material to remain stable for an extended period of up to more than 10 years.

How to Perform White Tooth Fillings

The procedure for white tooth fillings at the medical dental center is conducted under the supervision of the attending physician in several steps and sometimes over multiple sessions, depending on the nature of the patient’s condition – whether they are suffering from an infection that caused the decay or have experienced an impact that caused cracks or fractures in the teeth. Based on the severity of the condition and the number of affected teeth, the physician will establish a protocol for the treatment steps during the examination stage. Let’s learn about the steps involved in the procedure:

1. Examination through the use of some imaging techniques that show the extent of the condition and the degree to which it has reached the root or pulp of the tooth and affected the nerve.
2. Local anesthesia at the site of the condition or injection of the gums with anesthetic.
3. Drilling the tooth cavity to remove the decay inside and make it suitable for the complete and proper placement of the filling material, sealing any gaps that could harbor the growth of bacteria and microbes that cause tooth decay again.
4. Isolating the affected area for disinfection.
5. Adding any disinfecting solution inside the cavity, such as water or sodium hypochlorite, to ensure the elimination of any remaining bacteria or infection.
6. A laser device shines light on the tooth cavity to secure the filling material inside it.
7. The filling material is applied in several consecutive layers, not as a single mass.
8. Smoothing the surface of the filling with the tooth surface and removing any excess. Let our specialized doctors restore the beauty and healthy functions of your teeth through white cement tooth fillings at our The Dental Center.

Advantages of White Tooth Fillings

Advantages of White Tooth Fillings

The advantages of white tooth fillings are numerous, making them one of the most effective fillings over the past 10 years among dentists. We will outline the advantages in the following points:

1. Their cost is economical compared to other fillings, as they are less expensive than gold, silver, and porcelain fillings.
2. Their color resembles that of teeth, and it does not change or alter the tooth color over time, so they are used for front teeth.
3. They preserve the strength and durability of tooth bones because they do not require drilling a large portion of the tooth cavity. Instead, they only need the removal of a thin, simple layer, allowing the dimethacrylate material to bond well with the tooth structure. As a result, they can last for extended periods inside the patient’s mouth, up to 15 years in some cases.
4. They reflect light on the teeth, giving them an attractive appearance. Therefore, they have become a significant cosmetic role in treating various tooth problems. Read this article to learn about the cost of cosmetic fillings.

Disadvantages of White Tooth Fillings

The disadvantages of white tooth fillings can be summarized in a few minor points compared to their numerous advantages. However, let’s take a look at these disadvantages:

1. In the case of filling back teeth or molars with white tooth fillings, the filling cannot withstand the pressure from chewing and grinding food, as well as heat and cold, which can cause cracks within it, and in some cases, it may fall out of the tooth cavity. However, some experts have confirmed recent advances in white tooth filling technology, allowing them to withstand the pressure resulting from the function of back teeth.
2. They are not suitable for deep cavities where most of the tooth cavity needs to be removed, leaving the tooth structure weak, and the filling unable to remain stable inside, increasing the chances of it moving and falling out of the cavity, which could lead to the risk of re-infection and tooth decay.
3. In cases of deep cavities where the infection is close to the nerve and the cavity is filled with a white filling, there is a possibility of nerve sensitivity to the chemical composition of the filling material, which may lead to gum inflammation and jaw swelling.
4. They are installed over multiple sessions, and the number of follow-up appointments required after the filling procedure is numerous.

Alternatives to White Cement Tooth Fillings

There are several alternative fillings to white cement tooth fillings, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. The details of these alternative fillings are as follows:

• Gold, silver, porcelain, and glass ionomer fillings are common alternatives to white cement fillings, and they can be performed in a single session.
• Gold and silver fillings are among the most durable and sturdy fillings, making them suitable for all locations, whether front or back teeth.
• Porcelain and glass fillings are used as cosmetic treatments for tooth decay in front teeth due to their color resemblance to teeth, unlike gold or silver fillings, whose color does not match tooth color and changes over time, altering the tooth color as well.
• All four common fillings require removing a large portion of the tooth cavity for the filling material to be secured inside.
• The cost of gold and porcelain fillings is the highest, followed by glass fillings. In contrast, silver fillings are the least expensive compared to white cement fillings as well.

Important Tips for Protecting Tooth Fillings

There are some tips that should be followed in the days following the filling procedure to protect it and prevent any negative impact on the filling. Therefore, it is essential to follow these tips:

• Avoid sugary or starchy foods that turn into acids and create an acidic environment in the mouth suitable for the growth of cavity-causing bacteria.
• Avoid high-caffeine and sugary beverages that can promote the growth of bacteria that cause tooth decay.
• Do not consume sticky or hard foods that could put pressure on the filling and cause it to fall out or develop cracks.
• Brush your teeth regularly, morning and evening.
• Use the appropriate toothpaste for this period, as prescribed by the dentist.
• Use dental floss at least once a day to remove any food residue trapped between teeth and molars.
• Try to avoid grinding your teeth against each other while talking.
• Avoid cold air drafts to prevent nerve and gum sensitivity.
• Keep food and beverages at a moderate temperature, not too hot or cold, to avoid damaging the nerve.