By markhenry1513 March 30, 2015 - 6:58am

Posterior fillings are fillings that are done in the back molars as opposed to the front teeth. These are the most common type of filling, as fillings look the most natural in the back teeth. The majority of dental practices offer posterior fillings in a variety of materials and the dental fillings at Kenosha are the best option due to their composite material.

What types of fillings are there?

There is a large variant in the types of fillings that exist in the world, and some have more beneficial effects than others. The most common type of fillings are amalgam fillings, which are comprised of several different metals including silver, copper, gold, tin and mercury. This type of filling has decreased in popularity in recent years due to the questionable healthiness of having mercury semi-permanently attached to the tooth. Composite material fillings are a more health conscious alternative as they contain no mercury and look more natural in the mouth. Composite fillings, like porcelain fillings, are designed to resemble the color of the tooth so that it looks realistic and does not stand out, unlike amalgam fillings.

Who needs a posterior filling?

Posterior fillings are in most cases given to patients who have cavities in their back teeth. They are used to stop decay from spreading to the rest of the tooth and causing further damage to oral health. Tooth decay can be caused from improper oral hygiene, which includes not brushing and flossing regularly. When oral cleaning is not taking place, bacteria are able to grow and multiply, and when it does so it omits a chemical that eats away at the enamel of teeth and causes holes to develop.

How are posterior fillings different than crowns?

Dental crowns are used to stop tooth decay from spreading, but they are typically used for a much larger amount of tooth decay than a cavity. A crown covers the entire top of a tooth, and as such it can help protect a much broader amount of space.

How are fillings placed on the tooth?

Once a dental professional locates a cavity in the back teeth, they will let the patient know their options in removing it and preventing it from spreading. Once the filling procedure has been chosen, most dental professionals will apply a local anesthetic to the area for the patient not to feel any pain or discomfort during the placement of the filling. The tooth will be cleaned, and then the dental professional will remove the tooth decay in the cavity using a dental drill. After the decay has successfully been removed, the dentist will proceed to get the semi-hard composite filling and press it into the hole created by the cavity. While it is still not completely hardened, the dentist can reshape the filling and make it look and fit perfectly in the tooth. Finally, the filling will be hardened using a special light to seal in the cavity and make it difficult for decay to regrow.

How do you care for posterior fillings and prevent further cavities?

Posterior fillings need to be cared for just like any other portion of the mouth or teeth. A proper hygiene routine that includes brushing twice a day, flossing regularly and rinsing out the mouth with mouthwash is the best way to prevent future cavities. Fluoride products in particular are very efficient in keeping the mouth free of bacteria and cavities, as this chemical kills off a majority of bacterium found within the mouth and prevents it from multiplying.