Everyone knows dental fillings are a procedure used to fix cavities. However, beyond that, you might not know the answer to how do dental fillings work. Also, you may be unaware of the benefits of dental fillings. You may even believe some common misconceptions about it. Why don’t we shine a light on the concept of dental fillings?
How Do Dental Fillings Work?
Are you planning to get a filling? Perhaps you’re wondering how dental fillings work? A dental or cavity filling is used to repair minor damages such as fractures or decay in your teeth. It is a form of restorative dental treatment.
A dental filling helps to restore and enhance the surface of your tooth. It also improves the function of your jaw for healthy, proper biting and chewing. If you’re a patient who frequently has tooth decay, you may also suffer from tooth sensitivity.
The sensitivity of your teeth occurs because of enamel loss. Fortunately, you can resolve this issue with the placement of a dental filling.
Now that you know when to use dental fillings, here’s a step-by-step guide to the procedure.
Consultation and Planning
The first step in the dental fillings procedure is teeth inspection. With this, your dentist will decide upon the best treatment for you. Note that a cavity filling is best suited for only minor fractures and tooth decay. If you happen to suffer from other severe cases, you may need different restorative dental treatment types.
If someone asks you how do dental fillings work, you can tell them it starts with a consultation session. Your dentist will examine your teeth with a dental probe and a detecting liquid to investigate damaged areas. Also, an X-ray may be necessary to determine precise information about the severity of the decay and the location.
If you’re qualified for dental fillings, you may choose from several options of materials to fill in and seal a cavity. Some of the filling materials are glass ionomer, porcelain, direct composite bonding, silver amalgam or gold inlays.
The appropriate choice, however, will depend on specific factors.
- financial availability
- Your medical history
- Where the cavity is located
- Aesthetic needs
- Preference.
The Procedure
After inspecting your teeth, the next thing to do is to administer a local anesthetic. With anesthetic, the area around the affected tooth becomes numb. It will increase comfort throughout the procedure.
Next, your dentist will prepare the decayed or damaged tooth and its surrounding areas for restoration. A laser or dental hand-piece may be necessary to remove damaged areas of your tooth.
To cleanse and remove any remaining bacteria in your tooth, your dentist will use an acid gel. After cleansing your teeth, the filling material will be applied to fill the cavity.
If a composite filling is the chosen material, the affected tooth requires isolation. If that is the case, your dentist will place various adhesives before the composite material. They will also harden the composite material with the use of a special bonding light. Finally, your finished tooth will be polished, and that’s how dental fillings work.
Benefits of Dental Fillings
When you pay the cost of dental fillings, you stand to enjoy the following benefits:
Dental Fillings Offer More Than Remedy Cavities
Dental fillings are commonly used as a remedy for tooth decay. It is applied to the portion of your teeth where decay is present. Aside from that, they also serve additional purposes. Fillings are also used to repair cracked and broken teeth.
Tooth Fillings Can Last Up to 15 Years
If you choose porcelain or cast gold fillings, they will last for up to 15 years. These kinds of filling materials can last even longer. Besides, today’s fillers are highly resistant to corrosion.
Fillings Fit the Naturality of Your Teeth
If you are concerned about teeth aesthetics, composite resin dental fillings are for you. Composite resin fillings blend in and match perfectly with the natural teeth. You don’t have to worry about how your fillings will look. Essentially, no one will notice you have a filling in your teeth.
Tooth Fillings Prevent Oral Infection
If in any case, you need several root canal treatments, you may undergo a temporary tooth filling. It can be placed to give your tooth and gums ample time to heal. The temporary tooth will also allow the nerves to relax before the addition of a permanent filling.
Generally, a temporary filling ensures your exposed tooth does not become infected while waiting for the next phase of the treatment.
Improved Dental Functionality
Typically, decay has the significant potential to make chewing quite painful and challenging. However, if you get a tooth filling, your tooth functionality will improve.
Bottomline
If you have tooth decay, it can destroy areas of your tooth. Thus, resulting in a damaged tooth or other severe dental problems. Furthermore, decay can expose inner nerves, start infection and compromise tooth functionality.
Dental fillings can help avoid these kinds of problems. If you are planning to get dental treatment, contact Osmin Denture today. Our experienced dentists will come up with a customized treatment plan for you. Contact us today to get started!
