For a small to medium cavity, you will need dental care and your dentist will make a filling. This virtually painless procedure is a great way to preserve your living tooth structure while removing “caries”.
Some of the most common questions I get about fillings:
How do I know if I have cavities and need a filling?
Should I remove amalgam fillings?
Does getting a filling hurt?
How many times will I have to go to the dentist to get a filling?
First, don’t worry! Placing or replacing fillings is one of the most painless dental procedures.
What is the filling process?
A filling is a dental procedure used to restore part of a tooth that has been damaged by decay. The goal is to remove the decayed area, clean it thoroughly, and “fill” the space with material, returning the tooth to its natural shape.
How does my dentist know that I have cavities and need a filling?
The most telling signs of tooth decay or pulpitis are pain or tenderness around the affected area or food suddenly getting between the teeth. You should call your dentist as soon as you feel pain or when cold drinks or hot foods make you jump in discomfort or tingling.
Since the pain occurs when the cavity is already quite large, it is important to react quickly when you feel pain. Most experienced and good dentists leave time in their schedules for emergencies.
Don’t settle for using pain-relieving agents to ignore a toothache. Book an appointment with your dentist now!
When you go to the dentist’s office, the following will await you:
– The dentist will do a visual examination and look very carefully around the area where you complain of pain. During the dental exam, he/she looks for the most obvious signs of decay on your teeth.
– After the visual examination, your dentist will likely use a small instrument (probe) to confirm the presence of cavities and/or other disease.
– X-ray: After the dentist completes the visual examination, he/she will most likely take a set of X-rays of the teeth. These images give the best information about your teeth.
– Diagnosis and treatment plan: At this stage of the examination, you will be given a diagnosis by the dentist and a course of treatment.
Types of fillings: What kind of filling can be made for me?
< strong>Amalgam: Dentists have used this material for over 150 years. Amalgam fillings look silver (certainly not something most people would want to use on their front teeth), but over time they turn dull gray or even black. Still, amalgam is a popular choice because of its relatively low cost and ease of placement in wet environments.
If you have a very small cavity, your dentist will need to take away part of a healthy tooth to make enough space for the metal filling. Amalgam is “a mixture of metals consisting of liquid mercury and a powdered alloy composed of silver, tin, and copper.
Chemiopolymer: It is not moisture tolerant and does not come in many colors, making it an unsuitable choice for front teeth. It can be installed once, which saves time.
Photopolymer: Sufficient strength and excellent aesthetics. Suitable for both front and back teeth. They are applied in layers and it takes time.
Glacionometer: these seals usually consist of glass and acrylic resin. They are not a very good choice for front teeth because they cannot be easily matched to the natural color of your teeth.
Ceramic inlays,overlays: usually require more than one visit to complete. Like composites, ceramics can be matched to the color of your teeth, but they are much more resistant to stains from cigarettes, wine, coffee and tea. And although they are not as strong as silver, they look the most like natural teeth.
What awaits you during treatment and placement of a filling:
– Anesthesia (application of anesthesia) around the caries or pulp area.
– Removal of caries or an old filling.
– Shaping and placement of the new seal.
– Polishing and checking the height of the tooth surface when biting.
How long do different types of fillings last?
Different filling materials last a different amount of time, although how you take care of your oral hygiene is of great importance.
Amalgam fillings last an average of 10 years. However, I have seen them hold up well after 15 and even 20 years.
Composite fillings last 4-10 years.
Ceramic inlays/overlays last 10-15 years.
Glass ionomer and chemopolymer also 4-10 years.
Remember that a filling is not a natural tooth. The simple answer to the question “How long do fillings last?” is that a filling will not last forever. It is a man made material and will never be as good as what you were born with – enamel and dentin.
Of all the information I have provided in this article about seals, what are the most important things to remember?
First, don’t ignore a sharp or throbbing pain in one or more teeth. It’s tempting to self-treat this type of pain and wait until you can “afford” dental work, but the longer your cavity progresses, the greater the chances you’ll need a more expensive procedure or even to be left without a tooth.
Second, make sure you are familiar with the different treatment options. Whether it’s choosing between root canal treatment, tooth decay, or simply choosing the right material for your filling, ask your dentist for comprehensive information.
Third, remember that fillings are almost always virtually painless. The most painful part of the treatment is putting the anesthesia at the very beginning.
Do you want to learn more about the treatment process and filling? Just ask me.
Sincerely,
“Dr Boneva”