Helpful Patient Guide: All You Need To Know About Dental Fillings
A Dental filling is the removal of decaying tooth, caused by cavities, or injury. To treat the affected tooth, a dentist will remove the destroyed part and fill the area. Dental fillings are also used to fix broken and worn out teeth. Teeth can be worn out due to misuse like nail biting.
Types of Dental Fillings
Filling decayed or damaged teeth is a normal dental care practice. Your dentist fills the destroyed section to even out the surface of the tooth so that your mouth feels comfortable. Some individuals do get dental fillings in order to get rid of their discoloured teeth. Furthermore, filling the teeth should be done in a way it is not destroyed again. Here are some of the materials dentists use to fill the teeth.
Amalgams or silver fillings.
These fillings are durable, strong and they are less expensive. Amalgam fillings can be done within a single visit to the dentist. This type of filling can cause discolouration of teeth. They can also lead to the creation of a greyish hue around the tooth structure.
Gold fillings.
It is the most expensive form of tooth filling. The gold filling contains gold alloy with other metals. Gold fillings are for inlays, onlays, and crowns. These fillings are strong and can withstand chewing. Apart from high cost, gold fillings are cumbersome as you have to visit a dentist at least twice.
Tooth-coloured composites.
Composites easily bonds with the tooth structure. It is versatile since it can also be used to repair worn out and a broken tooth.
On the downside, tooth composites are not durable, they wear out much faster than other types of filling. They also require an increased chair time, since the process of applying the composite material takes more time compared to the other dental fillings.
Ceramics.
This filling is made up of porcelain and it used for inlays, crowns, dental implants, and veneers. One major advantage of ceramics is that they are more resistant to staining and abrasion than composite resin. Ceramics can last up to seven years. However, ceramics can cost as much as gold and can easily break since they are brittle.
Who performs the dental Filling Procedure?
Yes. Every trained and certified dentist can carry out a dental filling procedure provided they have the right equipment. In most cases, we have dentists who have specialized in dental filling procedures.
Preparation Before Dental Filling Procedure
The first step of dental filling entails the use of an anaesthetic to make the area around the affected tooth numb. A numb tooth will make the patient more comfortable during the procedure.
Next, the damaged area of the tooth is prepared for restoration by removing the affected part of the tooth. The dentist can uses hand-piece or laser to remove the damaged parts. The filling material is then applied to the damaged region. The dentist can resolve to use special equipment based on the extent of the decay or damage.
The dentist then examines the place to know if all the decay has been removed. The cavity is then cleaned of the bacteria and the debris. In most cases, an acid gel is used to remove any remaining components.
While conducting these procedures, a dentist pays attention to key factors like the depth of the tooth decay. If the decay is near the root or not.
Is Dental Filling Painful?
Dental fillings are not painful. When a dentist is carrying out the procedure an anaesthetic is used to make the area numb. You, therefore, don’t feel pain during the process. Also, the purpose of dental filling is the restoration of the decaying tooth and this eliminates the pain caused by the cavity.
How Long Do Dental Fillings Last?
Depending on the type of dental filling and size of the cavity, they do both having different life spans. Gold fillings can last from about 15 to 30 years. Composite resin fillings can last for five to seven years and thereafter they need replacement after that period of time.
Eventually, Dental fillings do need to be replaced. Although, in some cases, dental fillings may last for a long time. They may fall due to the poor habits of eating, drinking and grinding teeth. Fillings that have chipped, cracked or fallen out can leave gaps between the tooth and gums leading to the entry of bacteria into your mouth.
Can You Brush Your Teeth After Filling?
Yes, after having a dental filling you can brush your teeth using a soft bristle brush and a fluoridated toothpaste. Do the brushing gently but thoroughly. The tooth might be sensitive to cold or hot foods and beverages if the cavity was deeper but one can brush them even twice a day.
How To Avoid Cavities
One can get rid of a cavity by carrying out different home based remedies. Brushing with fluoride toothpaste plays a significant role in preventing cavities and protecting the enamel.
Cutting out on sugary foods also helps in reducing the risk factor of getting cavities. Eating foods rich in vitamin D helps absorb calcium and phosphate. These vitamins help produce saliva which helps prevent bacteria from concentrating on the tooth.
Risk Factor
What Can Go Wrong With Dental Filling If Not Carried Out By An Expert Dentist? The dental filling may cause a severe toothache if not done by a professional with the necessary expertise. Dr Vasilia Papaleonutiou has been performing dental fillings since over a decade. Pain is experienced in cases where the filling has not bonded properly with the tooth. If the edges of a filling are not smoothed down or shaped correctly, it causes pain.
How do you know a filling is going bad?
One can tell that the dental filling has gone bad after a few days. This is after the process of dental filling. Normally, the area around the tooth remains numb. One can also feel some sensitivity and pain in the tooth which indicates that the filling has gone bad.
How Much Does A Filling Cost in Dubai?
The price of dental fillings in Dubai is not fixed, the price varies from area to area. The price of dental filling in areas near Dubai Media City, Dubai Internet City, and Knowledge Village usually starts from AED 449.
Dental fillings are carried out by a general dentist. Hence, falls under the category of general dentistry.