Filling in the gaps
People lose their teeth all the time, either through gum disease, decay, trauma or even just old age. Whatever the reason for losing a tooth, it needs replacing, not only to give you a smile to be proud of but also to enable you to function correctly so you do not break or lose anymore teeth. There are several options available to you to replace lost teeth;
Composite and Glass Ionomer Fillings
A filling is normally needed to replace part of the tooth that has been lost because of decay or through accidental damage. It helps to rebuild the tooth so that you can chew again.
A composite or glass ionomer cement are white coloured filling materials that give the appearance of natural tooth. They come in a range of shades so can be matched perfectly to your own colour of tooth.
Unlike amalgam fillings they bond to tooth so they can be used to repair chipped or broken teeth, especially front teeth. However, they are not as strong as amalgam fillings or emax units therefore may not be suitable for larger fillings in back teeth. They also need very dry conditions which can be hard to achieve at the very back of the mouth.
Over time these fillings can stain due to red wine, coffee, tea and smoking so may need replacing if you are not happy with their appearance.