Dental fillings are essential for maintaining good oral health and fixing common dental problems such as tooth decay, cavities, and minor tooth damage. Fillings are made of different materials like amalgam, composite, ceramic, and more, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. When choosing the right filling, patients should consider their preferences and the extent of the damage.
Types Of Dental Fillings
- Amalgam Fillings: Amalgam fillings, also known as silver fillings, are very durable and work well for molars and heavily used teeth. These fillings have been used for over 175 years but are slowly being phased out of dentistry due to concerns about the mercury content.
- Composite Fillings: Composite fillings are made of plastic resin and finely ground glass particles. They blend naturally with the surrounding teeth, making them a popular choice for visible areas. The choice of filling material depends on the individual’s needs and preferences to maintain good oral health.
Preparing For The Procedure
Preparing to fill holes in teeth is straightforward. The dentist will start with a dental examination to ensure a thorough assessment of your oral health before the procedure. This examination helps in understanding your specific needs and evaluating the extent of dental damage. Your dentist will explain the steps of the pre-procedure assessment, ensuring you are fully informed and comfortable with the process.
Sometimes a temporary dental filling is placed to smooth the edges of cavities, preventing damage from sharp or jagged edges. The temporary filling will be replaced during the dental filling procedure.
Step-by-step Dental Filling Procedure
Dental fillings are the most common restorative procedure in the US, typically performed pain-free thanks to anesthesia. Over-the-counter painkillers can be used if necessary after the procedure.
STEP 1: Numbing For Comfort
The first and crucial step is ensuring your comfort. To alleviate discomfort, dentists often use a pre-numbing gel and then a local anesthetic injection.
- Pre-numbing gel: This gel, usually containing 20% benzocaine, is applied to the injection site to make the subsequent injection more comfortable.
- Local anesthetic injection: Common anesthetic options include Lidocaine, Mepivacaine, Septocaine, and Bupivacaine. It takes about 3 to 5 minutes for the anesthesia to kick in, after which the procedure can proceed with minimal discomfort.
STEP 2: Removing Decay
Decay appears as brown or black areas on the tooth, which are soft and can be scraped off. Several techniques ensure thorough removal:
- High-speed drill: A high-speed dental handpiece with diamond burs removes the decayed portion and shapes the tooth for the filling.
- Caries Indicator: A pink dye called caries indicator is used to ensure all cavities are removed by staining any remaining decayed tooth structure.
STEP 3: Filling Material Selection
There are various filling materials, each with unique characteristics and benefits:
- Amalgam Fillings: Known for their durability, amalgam fillings are made by combining mercury with other metals like silver, tin, and copper. They are particularly suited for molars and heavily used teeth but require the removal of additional tooth material to accommodate the filling.
- Composite Fillings: These fillings blend seamlessly with natural teeth and do not require a specific cavity shape, making them versatile for various dental applications.
- Gold and Porcelain Fillings: Known for their extreme durability, gold fillings are effective but expensive. Porcelain fillings require an impression of the tooth to be made and sent to a lab, where an inlay or onlay is prepared and later bonded to the tooth cavity with dental cement.
- Glass Ionomer Fillings: These come in various mixes and consistencies, with thicker formulations recommended for tooth fillings to ensure durability.
STEP 4: Placing The Filling Material
Once the appropriate filling material is selected, it is placed inside the prepared tooth cavity. The technique depends on the material chosen:
- Layered approach: For amalgam and some composite fillings, the material is placed layer by layer to ensure there are no voids or underfilled areas, providing a sturdy restoration.
- Bulk fill composites: These recent advancements allow the filling to be applied in a single, substantial layer, making the process quicker and easier.
STEP 5: Allowing The Filling To Set
The setting process varies by filling material:
- Amalgam Fillings: Set within a few minutes on their own, but the dentist must work quickly to prevent premature setting.
- Composite Fillings: Require curing with an LED curing light that triggers the hardening process. Composite resin can also be set with visible daylight, but it takes significantly longer.
STEP 6: Adjustments And Bite Alignment
After the filling material has hardened, the dentist deep cleaning services san jose will make the necessary adjustments to your bite. Articulating paper maps out your bite, and high spots are ground away until your bite feels normal and even.
STEP 7: Polishing And Finishing
The final step involves polishing the restoration with specialized polishers to make the filling look and feel glossy, leaving you with a beautifully restored tooth.
Conclusion
Filling holes in teeth plays a crucial role in maintaining oral health by repairing tooth decay and damage. Understanding the types of fillings and the procedure can help you make informed decisions and ensure a comfortable, effective treatment.
