When are Dental Shims necessary?
Dental shims is a direct dental restoration that is performed through the filling that is placed in a damaged tooth or tooth decay to restore its functionality and aesthetics. They are one of the most popular and sought after options to combat not so serious cavities, so when are dental fillings necessary.
Types of dental shims or fillings
Dental fillings are used for the restoration of a tooth with a filling that may vary according to the patient’s preference or the dentist’s recommendation.
There are many options available for dental fillings, and all have their advantages and disadvantages.
Types of dental fillings include gold, silver amalgam (a composite of mercury, silver and other metals), resin, porcelain and a special type of glass.
1. Amalgam shims:
It is the most common material to do dental fillings or shims. They are strong and therefore ideal for the back of the mouth as well as for treating molars, where chewing occurs.
As they are made of a combination of several metallic elements, they have a dark or metallic color that can be noticed so they are not as esthetic. This material is among the least expensive of all materials for dental shims.
2. Resin shims:
They are one of the most common dental shims as they feature a combination of quartz filler that matches the color of the tooth.
They are quite durable and are ideal for small to medium sized restorations.
This type of material is the one we mainly use at Lamicq Dental Care because of its high quality and esthetics, so we can meet our goal of making it work well, look good and last you for many years.
3. Metal shims:
Gold or silver shims are the most commonly used metals. They are expensive materials but can last 10 to 15 years before they need to be replaced. The downside is that their color is metallic and therefore not as aesthetic as a resin.
Uses of dental shims
Dental shims are necessary to restore the shape and stability of the tooth for chewing and to prevent damage, decay and tooth loss.
We can identify 3 main situations or uses of dental shims.
1. When we have dental decay:
When we have dental caries in any tooth, it is necessary to fill the holes that have formed in the enamel, as long as it has not affected the internal pulp of the tooth.
It is key to be able to make frequent consultations to know the state of your teeth because, if we manage to treat a tooth decay in time, it is possible that with a shim we can solve the problem.
If the cavity is very deep, it is possible that the pulp is affected and it is necessary to perform a root canal or nerve treatment.
2. Injured or broken teeth:
When you have a broken tooth, the inside of the tooth is exposed and any sediment or food debris left in that area can be the beginning of creating tooth decay. For this reason, it is important to fill that tooth to avoid future problems.
3. Restore worn teeth:
Over time, the teeth may wear down if you tend to chew or clench your teeth too much, gradually wearing down the tooth and requiring a filling to restore the tooth's functionality. This usually happens in people with bruxism because they clench their jaw when they are asleep.
What to expect when getting a dental shim?
The good part of these dental restorations is that the duration of the treatment can be 45 to 60 minutes. This is even enough time to take x-rays, if necessary.
Before the shims are placed, your dentist may apply some anesthesia to prevent and reduce discomfort during the procedure.
The tooth decay will then be drilled out of the tooth so that it can be replaced with the dental shim.
How much does a dental shim cost in Costa Rica?
As previously mentioned, the cost of a dental shim is directly related to the material to be used.
At Lamicq Dental Care, we mainly use resin as the main material for shims because of the quality and aesthetics it provides to the tooth.
The price of a dental shim can vary by several factors, but the price ranges from ₡40,000 depending on the complexity of the case.
Care after applying a dental shim
After this treatment, you can eat normally almost immediately after placement. However, if you have been given local anesthesia, it is important to wait for the effects to wear off completely to avoid biting your tongue or causing another injury.
Be careful with hot beverages as the anesthesia may reduce your ability to measure heat from the liquid and you could get burned.
If the shim is very deep, you may feel some discomfort in the area, however, it will disappear in a few hours.
Where to get dental shims in Costa Rica?
In Lamicq Dental Care we specialize in the placement of dental shims of all types of materials. This placement is performed by our specialist in endodontics so, in case the tooth decay is very deep and has affected the pulp, you can perform an endodontic treatment to solve the problem.
For any questions or concerns you have about this treatment, please contact us on our WhatsApp and we will schedule an appointment.