Innovations in Dental Fillings: What’s New?
By Space Coast Daily // August 19, 2024
For decades, dental fillings meant sporting a noticeable silver spot in your tooth, ready for the world to see. That’s because traditional dental filling materials were mainly composed of mercury and other metal alloys—which can potentially harm some patients.
Excessive mercury vapor can negatively impact the lungs, nervous system, and kidneys. However, a 2022 study has shown that 86 million American adults with dental amalgam fillings had exceeded the most restrictive safety limits of mercury vapor. Additionally, about 16 million surpassed the safety limits of the least restrictive vapor levels. (1)
Tooth-colored fillings like composite resins and porcelain might be safer, but new materials and techniques are emerging to make dental care solutions more comfortable, longer-lasting, and virtually invisible. Read on to know what these are.
Dental Fillings in Modern Dentistry
Tooth fillings are used in dental restoration procedures primarily to prevent cavities from inflicting more damage to your natural teeth. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), about 3.5 billion people worldwide have oral diseases. Dental caries affects 2 billion people, and another 514 million children have them (2)
For the past years, getting a filling was a labor-intensive process. A dental professional needs to remove the decayed part of the tooth and then manually shape a filling material to fit the space. Fortunately, technological advancements have evolved alongside modern dental practices, resulting in safer, faster, and more precise restoration procedures. Root canals, for instance, can be done using laser dentistry to reshape the gums and remove bacteria.
To enjoy the benefits of dental technology and top-tier patient experience, you must find a top-rated dentist who provides a wide range of services—from general, cosmetic, emergency, and restorative dentistry. This means having experts who can help prevent, diagnose, and treat various dental health conditions using the latest techniques and equipment.
Before undergoing a dental filling procedure, your dentist might recommend any of these options. These solutions are worth considering if you want more comfortable dental visits and to retain a healthy tooth structure.
Bioactive Glass (BAG): More Than Just a Filling
When you hear the word ‘glass’, your teeth are probably the last thing that comes to mind. But bioactive glass is changing that perception.
This innovative filling material is a special type of glass that forms a strong bond with living or soft tissues—hence its name. As of December 2019, over 1.5 million patients who’ve undergone spinal, orthopedic, and dental implants were treated using this multi-tasking material worldwide. (3)
When used in dental fillings, it doesn’t just sit there like traditional materials such as composite resin and porcelain.
■ Bioactive glass interacts with your tooth, promoting remineralization (a natural process that keeps your teeth strong and healthy) and stimulating the formation of new dentin—the layer beneath the enamel.
■ It’s antimicrobial, helping kill bacteria that could lead to further decay.
■ It can help reduce sensitivity, making your post-filling experience more comfortable.
■ It bonds extremely well with your natural tooth structure, potentially leading to longer-lasting fillings.
And the best part? Fillings made with BAG look just like your natural tooth. It’s a great option for those who don’t want metal fillings to ruin their natural look.
Nano-Composite Fillings: Small Particles, Big Impact
Modern dentistry has enabled the development of nano-composite fillings, which, as their name implies, are microscopic particles that pack a big punch. This new dental material is getting traction for several reasons:
■ Robust strength and durability: Their size allows for a denser and stronger filling—capable enough to withstand the strong forces of frequent chewing
■ Enhanced aesthetics: These modern dental fillings can mimic the natural translucence of the enamel, making them virtually unrecognizable as compared to traditional amalgam fillings.
■ Better polish: Nano-composites provide a smoother finish, reducing the risk of plaque buildup and tooth staining.
■ Less shrinkage: Unlike composite resin fillings, nano-composites are more resistant to shrinkage, providing a better seal against bacteria that cause gum disease and tooth decay.
With nano-composite fillings, you can get a material that’s tough enough to last but looks natural; you might forget it’s there.
Glass Ionomer Cement: The Fluoride-Releasing Superstar
While these dental filling materials have been around for a while, recent advancements have made them more effective than ever. Modern glass ionomer fillings don’t just cover dental caries; they’re versatile and can be used for various applications.
■ Fluoride release: These fillings slowly release fluoride over time, strengthening the tooth and preventing tooth decay.
■ Chemical bonding: Glass ionomers form a chemical bond with your tooth, helping prevent the entry of oral bacteria.
■ Moisture-friendly: They can be placed in areas that are difficult to dry, making them ideal for certain types of cavities.
■ Thermal compatibility: Glass ionomers expand and contract like your natural tooth structure, reducing the risk of cracks and leaks.
Glass ionomer cement might not be the best choice for every situation. However, they work great for certain types of cavities, especially in children or in areas prone to decay.
3D Printing: Custom Filling at the Speed of Light
Digital imaging is enjoying a wider adoption in various industries, and dentistry is no exception. Three-dimensional or 3D imaging is crucial in treatment planning, especially in restorative dentistry. After intraoral scanning, dental clinics and laboratories then tap computer-aided manufacturing or CAM technology to construct various dental procedures like fillings, crowns, dentures, and implants.
When used for dental fillings, 3D printing technology can replicate the filling accurately within minutes—ready to be placed on your affected tooth. This revolutionizes how dental fillings are made and applied.
A dentist’s expertise plays a huge role in maintaining optimal oral health, but custom dental product solutions also contribute to treatment success—without these, dental professionals can’t provide premium quality patient care.
Your Best Smile Awaits
Dental technology innovations are constantly evolving, but the modern solutions discussed above are already making waves because of their roles in making dental procedures more effective, comfortable, and aesthetically pleasing. As research continues and these technologies become more widely available, you can look forward to treatments that not only fix problems but boost overall oral health. Now that’s something to smile about!
References
‘1. Dental amalgam fillings and mercury vapor safety limits in American adults’, Source: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/09603271221106341#:~:text=Daily%20Hg%20vapor,EPA%20safety%20limit.
3. ‘Bioactive Glass Applications in Dentistry’, Source: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6928922/#:~:text=The%20application%20of%20nanotechnology%20help%20to%20synthesize%20BAG%20in%20the%20nano%20scale%2C%20this%20aids%20in%20coating%20the%20dental%20implant%20surfaces%2C%20orthopedic%2C%20and%20spinal%20implants%20%5B7%2C8%5D.%20Until%20now%2C%20o
