Tooth fillings are among the most common dental procedures at Dental Arts 9thStreet dental office. Filings are a sure way to repair persistent cavities due to decay. The process is mostly painless and lasts around an hour.
Keep reading for information on what you can expect during a filling procedure, the materials commonly used, and which materials are best for you.
What to Expect
There are two principles involved in the application of dental fillings. First, your dentist removes the decayed part of the tooth and then fills the groove using filling material. The dentist in Petersburg, FL, will administer a sedative beforehand to numb the area, so the patient feels relaxed through the procedure.
The affected tooth is then isolated from the rest of the teeth for better access. Usually, a high-speed electric drill easily removes the decay. You might not need an aesthetic if the filing is being applied only on the tooth surface.
Tooth preparation varies according to the type of material used after readying the tooth. When the tooth is ready, a liner is used to minimize tooth sensitivity. Its because the enamel has been scrapped, and temperature changes can lead to significant tooth sensitivity. In really deep cavities, a base is used with the liner as insulation from external elements.
The dentist and patient will then choose from the different types of filling material to be used. Amalgam/Silver fillings are most common, followed by porcelain, resin, and gold fillings. They are laid on the top of the base to complete the process.
A day or two after rebuilding the tooth, it’s common for the patient to feel sensitivity around the filled tooth. The more resonant your cavity, the more likely you are to have sensitivity. This is primarily to cold and hot beverages and food. However, within two weeks, expect your filing to be comfortable.
If the pain persists beyond two weeks, Dr.Eros Chaves recommends contacting your dental care specialist as soon as possible. It could indicate a void beneath the fillings or an infected tooth pulp that needs root canal therapy.
A tooth filling procedure mostly lasts less than an hour. A simple filling on the tooth surface can take only 20 minutes. Larger and multiple fillings take longer.
The procedure’s duration also depends on the type of material used and might need a second dental visit. For instance:
The process of replacing an older filling might take more time if the filling has to be drilled out of the tooth.
You will discuss with your dentist the filling material best for your cavity. The most common types include:
In the past, there has been more success with composite fillings than other types. This is because of their superior strength, more fantastic color varieties, and outstanding longevity.
If you have no concern about tooth aesthetics, amalgam and gold fillings are a great option. Although gold fillings are costlier, people have preferred them to silver fillings as they have concerns with the mercury in amalgams. However, no evidence has shown that the mercury in amalgams is harmful.