Tag: dental fillings

How To Treat A Root Canal Infection

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Root canal infection - - Forestbrook Dental - Markham Dentist

A root canal infection happens when bacteria reach the pulp of your tooth, damaging it. The pulp consists of the tooth’s nerves and blood vessels. Your Markham dentist at highway 7 uses root canal therapy to get rid of the infection.

What happens during a root canal therapy

Another name for root canal therapy is endodontic therapy. The first half of the word “endo” is the Greek word for “inside.” The second part, “odont” means “tooth.” Endodontic treatment treats the root canal infection happening inside the tooth.

Inside the tooth, under the enamel and the layer of dentin, is the pulp. The root canal goes from the pulp chamber to the roots where it connects the tissues surrounding the root.

A root canal therapy is imperative when the pulp is suffering from inflammation or bacterial infection. This is the cause of an abscessed tooth. Effects can include swelling in the face, toothaches and bone loss in the root.

Root canal therapy is done by your Markham dentist at Highway 7.  Access to the inside of the tooth is through a hole drilled behind or on top. The infected pulp tissues are cleaned out from the root canals and pulp chamber. Tiny rubber-like material called gutta-percha shapes the root canals and fills the canal space. This prevents the area from another bacterial infection in the future.  A permanent or temporary filling material seals the access hole.

How to Avoid a Root Canal Infection?

Prevent a root canal infection by taking precautionary measures.

Avoid cavities from forming on your teeth. Early detection of them should lead to treatment. Cavities can come from snacking frequently on candies, desserts, and sodas.

Use a soft-bristled toothbrush when you brush at least twice a day. Rinse after meals and floss your teeth every day.

Follow the advice of your Markham dentist at Highway 7 for regular dental cleanings and checkups.

 A Guide to Safe Dental Fillings in Markham

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Safe Dental Fillings in Markham - Forestbrook Dental Clinic

Most patients trust that their dentists use safe dental fillings in restoring their damaged teeth. However, current studies have suggested that this isn’t the case at all.

Recently, there is much attention given to amalgam fillings because these are mercury-based. Patients are curious how the fillings constantly emit toxic mercury vapor into the mouth. Because of this, patients are becoming more selective about what dental filling materials their dentist in Markham is going to use.

Here’s a closer look at some of the materials used for dental fillings.

Porcelain/Ceramic

Although they have been used by professionals as fillings for years, porcelain/ceramic often contain a substantial amount of aluminum. In fact, there have been some cases where the fillings contained as much as 45% aluminum oxide. There have also been reports about porcelain filling containing various other potentially harmful materials like barium, cadmium, and cobalt.

Amalgam

According to reports, there have been cases of amalgam fillings containing up to 50% mercury. Because of the well-known toxic properties of mercury, amalgam aren’t considered as safe dental fillings. As any dentist in Markham will tell you, high levels of mercury vapor exposure have been linked to brain damage and kidney failure.

Composite Resin

Often thought of as “plastic” fillings, resin fillings normally contain a mixture of glass and plastic. The main concern with resin is that they contain a class of chemicals known as bisphenol. According to experts, this element has been known to leach estrogen-mimicking compounds into the body. Some resin fillings based on chemicals called methacrylates have also been proven to be hard on the liver and kidneys.

New Materials

Fortunately, dental experts are coming up with new materials that are considered safe dental fillings. One of these is called DiamondLite. Ask your local dentist in Markham for more information about this type of filling.

What Is The Best Tooth Filling Material?

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Markham Dentist - Forestbrook Dental - Tooth Filling

If your dentist finds a cavity in one of your teeth, you may need a tooth filling Markham. However, you still have some options to choose from, as fillings can be made from materials like amalgam, composite resin, porcelain, or gold. The best material for you will depend on your dental needs.

Amalgam

Silver in colour, amalgam is the original tooth filling material. Many people are concerned that amalgam fillings are dangerous due to their mercury content, but there is no evidence to show that the metal has any impact on health.

Amalgam fillings can be detrimental to teeth, but for other reasons. First, the material gradually expands over time, which can lead to fractures in teeth. Second, the colour can seep into teeth, staining them permanently. For this reason, most people now opt for other materials or only use amalgam on back teeth where a filling is less visible.

Composite Resin

Composite resin allows you to have fillings that match the colour of your teeth. Another reason they are also popular is that the dentist removes only a minimal amount of your healthy tooth. Composite fillings are applied as putty and cured with a special light. They are best for smaller fillings and for back teeth, as they can stain.

Porcelain

Porcelain fillings are some of the most durable and another option that matches the shade of your teeth. Unlike the above, porcelain fillings are made in a lab using an impression of your tooth. However, there are some disadvantages: your dentist will need to remove more of the healthy tooth than for amalgam or composite and porcelain tends to be more expensive.

Gold

Gold fillings are the most expensive, but they are also the most durable. However, with realistic-looking porcelain fillings now an option, gold is less common.