Our teeth are an essential part of our being, especially because without teeth we can have a
limitation on certain things in life. Teeth enable us to chew food, which is our primary source of
energy and enables us to grow and maintain a healthy well-being. Moreover, teeth are important for
beauty purposes, helping in the shape and structure of facial features. It is hence important to
take care of our teeth and enhance healthy and productive lives. Just like any other body part,
teeth are also affected by certain issues that threaten their well-being. They include dental carries,
cavities and loss of teeth. Mitigation measures against these conditions are crucial as they help
save teeth and enhance the dental health of the victims. One sure way of taking care of teeth is
through tooth filling, a dental procedure that we offer at Sterling Dental Clinic, at affordable costs
and with a guarantee for success.

Tooth fillings are a single or combination of metals, plastics, glass or other materials used to
repair and restore teeth. They are used in the treatment of cavities and dental carriers, (commonly
known as tooth decay). They are also used to repair cracked or broken teeth and teeth that have
been worn down by misuse such as tooth grinding. Moreover, they help prevent further damage to the tooth
while also restoring it to its normal shape and structure, and enabling it to resume normal
functions. Tooth filling procedures are some of the most common procedures performed at any
dental clinic, and at Sterling dental clinic, this is no different. It can be done by a normal dentist
or an endodontist, who is a specialist in defects related to the inner structures of the tooth. Tooth
decay affects the enamel and sometimes, may go deeper into the dentine.

There are several types of tooth fillings available today. These are:
Amalgam fillings– These are silver-coloured fillings. They are made of a combination of
silver, mercury, tin and copper. They are more durable than tooth-colour fillings and are
more affordable. Amalgam fillings are shiny and some people do not prefer them for teeth in
conspicuous areas. Others may take issues with the level of mercury content in the tooth
filling, but the ADA has cleared it for use, deeming it safe. There is no clinical evidence
of any harm caused by amalgam fillings.
Composite fillings- They are also called white-tooth colour fillings. This is because they
are matched to the colour of the tooth, making them appear more natural. They are
composed of a mixture of glass, quartz particles and acrylic resin. This material is also
durable, but a little bit more expensive than amalgam fillings, according to ADA records.
Gold fillings- This is a mixture of gold, copper and other metals. They are well tolerated
by the gums, and are durable, lasting up to 10 years. Gold fillings are however the most
expensive to get. They are generally custom-made in the labs after the dentist takes an
impression of the affected tooth. They are however not natural looking.
Glass ionomer fillings– They are also tooth-coloured fillings, made of acrylic and a special type of glass containing fluoride. The fluoride component of the filling helps prevent cavities in the tooth. They are however not as strong as the composites and are mainly used on children’s teeth.
Porcelain fillings– These are also called inlays/ Onlays. They are also custom-made in the
lab, after the dentists take an impression of the affected tooth, and then bond them with the tooth. Furthermore, they are made to fit our tooth colour and are more resistant to staining. They
are however more expensive, costing as much as gold does.

Diversification of treatment services is a core element in our treatment and as such, we have all
the above types of filling available for selection. We however recommend that our clients start
the process by scheduling a consultation with our highly experienced specialists at the clinic. The
medic will perform a physical examination of the mouth using a small mirror to examine the
surface of each tooth. He/she checks for any sign of malformation such as discolouration,
sensitivity to change or defectiveness on the tooth. If they notice any form of abnormalities, they
send the patient over for further screening in our labs, where the defects are visualised by the
digital dental X-rays machines. Based on the extent of the damage and the client’s preference,
our specialists will recommend a type of treatment suitable for it.

The procedure.
The procedure is done on an outpatient basis, at our clinic. It begins with the dentist
using a small amount of numbing agent on the area to be treated. He/she then applies local
anaesthesia to prevent the patient from experiencing pain and enhances comfort during the
procedure. The specialist then uses a drill or air abrasion instrument on the enamel to eliminate
the decayed area. In cases where the decay has reached the dentine, a slower, rounder and less
powerful drill is used, to avoid harming the sensitive dentine. The choice of instrument used
depends on the medic’s comfortability, location and extent of the decay. Our clinic however has
all equipment available, and our dentists will choose their preferred device from the variety
available.

Afterwards, he or she then tests the area during the decay removal process to check if all the
decay has been extracted. After all the decay has been removed, the dentist then prepares the
space for filling by cleaning the cavity, to kill the bacteria and extract all debris. In some
instances, where the cavity or the decay has reached the root, the dentist may use a liner made of
glass ionomer, composite resin or other material to protect the nerves. The filling material is then
placed in the cleaned section in layers. A special blue wavelength laser is used to cure and
harden the filling layers Client’s comfort is one primal aspect of the procedure, and we
have to ensure that the filling is at the right level. To restore normal bite and comfortability, the
excess material will be trimmed off and once the ideal level is arrived at, the filling is polished
and the patient is discharged.

The process takes about 30 to 90 minutes, depending on the extent of the damage and the type of
filling used. Our dentists have high experience in the procedures and maintain an optimum level
of professionalism and decorum. We also ensure that all required equipment is available and the
procedure is done in highly hygienic conditions. After the procedure, we discharge the patient
with, the precautions and measures to take care of the treated tooth. These include not eating
anything and avoiding hot drinks while the mouth is still numb from the treatment, eating a
proper diet and brushing or flossing teeth after every meal. He or she may also recommend post-
treatment check-ups to observe the condition of the tooth and ensure the treatment is effective.
Observance of these measures is key to enhancing the recovery process.

Benefits and disadvantages of tooth filling.
Each of the treatment modes has its benefits and demerits. The advantages are: that gold
fillings are long-lasting for up to 10 to 15 years. It also presents an unappealing look.
Amalgam fillings are also durable as they can last for up to 15 years and are the least expensive
of all. Tooth-coloured fillings blend with the colour of the tooth, making it less conspicuous and
more appealing. Furthermore, they provide extra support and are ideal for cavities where less
teeth material needs to be removed for treatment. On the other hand, porcelain fillings are more
resistant to stains than all other materials and are durable for up to 5 years also. Glass ionomers
are more comfortable and are ideal for filling below the gum line. They also have fluoride that
helps prevent further decay. Generally, filling helps protect the tooth from further damage and
provides structural support as well as aiding in the normal functions of the tooth.

The disadvantages of tooth filling include: They are costly and may require more than one
visit to the dentist for filling and review, Amalgam fillings may require more tooth material to be
extracted to create more space to hold the filling. Moreover, they may increase the risk of tooth
cracks and fractures due to the expansion and contraction of the material. They may also trigger
allergic reactions in some patients and affect their general health. Tooth-coloured composite
fillings are less durable, only lasting for about 5 years and require one to get a new filling.
Furthermore, glass ionomer fillings are weaker than other materials, and are more prone to wear
and tear and fractures. They are also less durable as they last for about 5 years. Tooth fillings are
also associated with increased sensitivity, swelling and pain albeit for short periods after
treatment. At Sterling dental clinic, however, we work over board to ensure that we minimise these risks as much as possible and should they occur (which happens very rarely), we have the
right treatment for them.
Before and After

Take away notes.
As one of the best dental clinics in the country, it is our responsibility to keep up with the current
trends in treatment while maintaining the same old level of proficiency and efficiency. We adopt
the latest cutting-edge technology means of treatment and devices for use. We also have the best
medics in dentistry at your service. We are located in a serene environment, at the Park Suites
building in Parklands, in Nairobi, Kenya. We offer a variety of dental services such as tooth
filling and many others, at friendly costs. Visit us today for consolation and treatment or
contact our clinic to book an appointment with our amazing medics.