Got a cavity, and your tooth hurts really bad? We know what that feels like and can tell you, you’re not alone. Unfortunately, dental cavities are a pretty common problem for adults in North America. Studies suggest that more than 90 percent of adult Canadians will experience cavities at some point in their lives.
That said, having cavities is not something that should scare you or be a subject of shame. The reason is there are several solutions for dental cavities. And, one of the best ways to get rid of the discomfort is to get a dental filling. Also known as the cavity filling procedure, this solution has put a smile on the faces of several people.
The standard dental treatment for your average cavity is a dental filling procedure. What does that mean? How do you go about it? How much does it cost? What happens during cavity filling? We’re about to look at the answers to all these questions and many more as we continue in this post. Let’s get into it!
What is Cavity?
A cavity is a hole in your tooth that occurs due to enamel loss. A cavity in your tooth leaves the soft tissue in the tooth exposed. Therefore, when food items, beverages and water go through that hole, they touch the exposed soft tissue. This contact causes you to experience discomfort. The pain is greater if the substance is either significantly hot or cold.
Enamel loss (and ultimately cavities) develop due to bacteria buildup. The bacteria buildup occurs from unhealthy eating habits and neglecting to care for your teeth properly. Unfortunately, cavity symptoms aren’t always apparent until the hole is well developed. Unless you consciously watch out for it, you won’t discover cavities developing in your teeth until it’s too late.
The damage tooth cavities cause is not limited to enamels. It often extends to teeth interiors and can lead to other health concerns. Therefore, it’s crucial to identify and rectify this problem as early as possible. But regardless of whenever you discover the problem, cavity filling will always come to the rescue! That said, what is a cavity filling?
What is a Cavity Filling?
Cavity filling is a dental restorative procedure that repairs damage to dentition caused by tooth decay and enamel loss. This treatment restores minimal teeth fractures, thus reviving the functionality and integrity of your teeth. You can easily get your teeth back in their best shape and structure using dental fillings.
A cavity filling treatment involves using dental filling materials, such as porcelain, composite or silver amalgam. The dentists use these materials to literally plug up the hole in your tooth. The materials even out the tooth surface, protects the delicate dentine tissue, and reinforce the tooth’s strength.
Types of Materials Dentist Use for Cavity Filling
Dentists use several different materials for dental fillings. Some of these materials include a variety of metals and other bio-adaptable items. Let’s get a background into some of the materials below.
Composite Fillings
Also called tooth-coloured fillings, composite fillings come from the mixture of powdered glass and acrylic resin. When dentists use this material, they shade it to match the tooth’s colour as closely as possible. By doing so, nobody will notice you have cavity fillings, and you can proudly wear your beautiful smile.
That said, there’s a slight drawback to using composite fillings to treat dental cavities. Compared to other cavity filling materials, the composite filling is relatively weak. It’s not as durable as amalgam or gold fillings. As such, we’ll not recommend it for deep fillings or on biting surfaces.
Amalgam Fillings
Silver amalgam is one of the strongest cavity filling materials available. Interestingly, it’s also the cheapest and easiest to apply. These are the reasons dentists often use this type of dental filling on stress-bearing surfaces. Needless to say, it’s the best option for deep or large cavity fillings.
On the flip side, amalgam fillings come with the drawback that is undesirable aesthetics. Metal fillings don’t look good; in most cases, they look unsightly. As such, most dentists avoid using them for front teeth.
There are also speculations regarding the mercury content of amalgams. And as a result, many people avoid using them. While we believe it’s safe to use, we recommend avoiding the silver amalgam option, especially if you’re particularly sensitive to mercury.
Gold Fillings
Gold fillings are also pretty popular; however, some people don’t prefer them due to their distinctive looks. But, interestingly and almost ironically, many people who use gold fillings also choose them for their unique looks. It’s also worth noting that gold is one of the most durable filling materials available. As such, it’s a better alternative to silver amalgam and composite materials.
Gold dental fillings are expectedly expensive and difficult to manoeuvre. Dentists can’t apply gold directly into the tooth cavity. Instead, they’ll have to make a tooth mould which will aid in replacing the damaged tooth. The convoluted procedure for installing gold dental fillings automatically means more time in the dentist’s chair.
Glass Ionomer fillings
The glass ionomer filling is a less popular type of filling. It’s the weakest of all the cavity filling materials. And as such, it’s often restricted to use as a temporary fix. Dentists only occasionally recommend it to patients.
Dentists also use glass ionomer fillings to fill decayed areas below the gum line, along the teeth’ roots. This material is perfect for this dental area because it doesn’t need to bond to a dry surface. The main advantage of using glass ionomer material is that it releases fluoride, which helps mitigate decay.
Related Article: Wisdom Teeth Removal Cost in Toronto
Procedure for Cavity Filling
It’s vital that you prepare adequately for a cavity filling procedure. Inadequate preparation may mean subjecting yourself to significant discomfort during and after the operation.
Then again, the cavity filling procedure varies depending on the type of filling and the tooth. Regardless, below are some general steps/stages you’ll go through during a cavity-filling treatment.
Checkup
It all starts with reporting to a dentist for a checkup on your dental health. The dentist will still need to properly inspect your teeth’s condition, even if you’re aware you have cavities. Although, it’s easy to tell if you’ll be needing cavity filling if the hole is obvious or an old filling loosens.
Using a small mirror, the dentist will inspect each tooth’s surface for cracks and other signs of decay. They may also take x-ray images of your dentition to get a better view of your teeth’s condition. Your dentist will recommend treatments based on what they discover from the examination.
Starting the Operation – Administering Anaesthetics
The dentist will begin the operation after determining the ideal type of dental filling for your situation. They’ll administer a local anesthetic to prevent you from experiencing any discomfort.
Getting a dental filling doesn’t rank very high on the pain scale. Regardless, it’s always good practice for a dentist to use anesthetics thereby ensuring your comfort through the procedure.
Removing Decay
The decay removal step is the least desirable part of the procedure, especially for the patient. Typically, the dentist needs to administer an anesthetic to ensure you feel zero pain.
Once the anesthetic takes the desired effect, the dentist can proceed to remove the decayed part of the tooth. They’ll do this using a high-speed dentist’s drill or laser.
After removing the decay, your dentist will clean and sterilize the cavity area to make the hole suitable to hold the filling material. Since the vibration and pressure from the drill are often unpleasant, it’s advisable you go along with headphones. This way, you can distract yourself with music or other audio items while the dentist works on your teeth.
FIlling
The cavity filling procedure varies depending on your choice of filling material. For example, when using an amalgam filling, the dentist will have to mix the material and then apply it to the cavity. To apply the mixture, the dentist only needs to press the mixture into the cavity space and wait for it to harden.
The procedure is totally different when the primary material is direct composite filling. Here, the dentist will start by etching the tooth surface with acid gel. This gel will make the surface abrasive, thereby encouraging bonding. Next, the specialist will spread a thin layer of bonding material on the surface. Then, the dentist will apply the composite material to the bonding layer in the cavity.
The final process involves the dentist curing the bonding agent and composite material with blue light. The curing process helps to harden the filling. And depending on how deep the cavity is, your dentist may do it in layers to ensure proper filing.
The process is super different if you’re getting gold or porcelain fillings. First, the dentist will have to make a mould of your tooth which they’ll use to create a permanent filling for you. Then, they’ll give you a temporary filling to prevent further decay, pending the time the permanent filling will be ready.
Shaping and Polishing
The final part of the average cavity filling procedure involves shaping and polishing the material after it hardens. The dentist will shape and polish the material to fit in appropriately with the original tooth. This polishing process will help to refine biting contact and prevent future problems.
How Much Does a Cavity Filling Cost?
The cost of a cavity filling procedure varies depending on several factors. First, the filling materials come at different prices. Silver amalgam fillings are cheaper than composite filling materials. Similarly, gold filling materials are more expensive than standard composite ones.
The other factors which influence the cost of dental fillings include:
- The expertise of the dentist or the dental clinic that performs the cavity filling procedure
- The bad tooth’s location in your mouth
- The number of teeth that need filling and the volume of the surfaces that require treatment.
- Dental insurance policy
Nonetheless, general tooth filling costs can get up to $600 in Ontario, depending on any or all of the above factors. You can visit any dental office in Ontario to get an accurate price quotation for the procedure.
Dental Filling Aftercare Recommendations
After the dentist completes the cavity filling procedure, they will advise you on how to care for your teeth. Following the dentist’s recommendations will help you prevent decay or other dental health issues from recurring.
Nonetheless, a general dental care routine such as brushing twice daily with fluoride toothpaste is an excellent place to start. You should also floss and use an interdental cleaner at least once daily. These activities will go a long way in preventing the decay problem from recurring.
In case you’re experiencing discomfort following the cavity filling procedure, over-the-counter medications can help. You can take ibuprofen or acetaminophen to counter the pain. If the medicines are not effective, it may be that the teeth don’t fit well together after the operation. In this case, you should report to your dentist so they can correct the error.
You may also experience increased sensitivity to cold or hot items after the filling. This problem is often a result of nerve irritation or gum inflammation. Don’t worry about it; it should improve with time.
Related Article: How Long Should a Tooth Hurt After a Filling?
Conclusion
A cavity filling procedure is one of the best treatments you can get for tooth decay. The operation will restore the integrity of your teeth and prevent further damage. It’s also relatively affordable and guarantees a long-term solution for your dental issues. Plus, you also get to pick from various tooth filling materials!
That said, Osmine Denture is inviting you to check out our dental office in Ontario for safe, effective cavity-filling treatments. We have a team of dentists who will be glad to help solve your cavity issues. Plus, we provide the best dental solutions for all our clients — our reviews speak for themselves.
Call us today!
