There’s a pretty good chance you’ve heard of dental fillings; if not, you’ve probably had one before. But not everyone has, so Charvet Dental Center wants to help provide some education. In this blog, we’ll be letting you know what to expect from a dental filling.
A Common Course of Treatment
Fillings are an incredibly typical means of treating cavities. In fact, they’re usually Dr. Charvet and Dr. Charvet Jr.’s first line of treatment if they see a damaged tooth, which can also be caused by decay, wear, or minor fractures.
There are a number of types of fillings available, though we most commonly use composite or ceramic fillings. Here are a few other varieties that are still used in certain scenarios:
- Amalgam Fillings: These consist of a mixture of metals, including silver, mercury, tin, and copper. They are durable and often used for molars, where strength is vital.
- Composite Fillings: Made from a resin material that can be colored to match your natural teeth, these are commonly used for visible teeth due to their aesthetic appeal.
- Ceramic Fillings: These are porcelain and also tooth-colored, offering a natural look. They’re more resistant to staining than composite fillings.
- Glass Ionomer Fillings: Made from a blend of acrylic and glass, these fillings release fluoride, a substance that can help protect teeth from further decay. This material can be used for fillings below the gum line or in children.
How Fillings Work
Let’s review a detailed explanation of the process of a normal dental filling. This procedure, performed by a dentist with the help of a dental assistant, aims to restore the tooth to its normal function and shape.
1. Exam and Diagnosis
- Assessment: Our Charvet Dental Center team will thoroughly examine your teeth, using a dental probe, X-rays, or additional diagnostic tools to help us identify cavities or areas of decay. Based on these findings, your dentist will discuss whether a filling or multiple fillings are needed.
2. Preparation
- Anesthesia: A local anesthetic is applied to help numb the area around the affected tooth to ensure comfort during the procedure. This numbing ensures that you won’t feel pain during the process, though you can still feel some pressure, especially if the filling is difficult to reach.
- Isolation: Sometimes, we use a rubber dam around the tooth to keep it dry during the procedure.
3. Decay Removal
- Cleaning the Tooth: Your dentist will use tools like a dental drill, laser, or air abrasion instrument to remove the decayed portion of the tooth. The goal is to clean out all the decayed material while retaining as much of the healthy tooth structure as possible.
- Shaping the Cavity: After removing the decayed area, we will shape the cavity to ensure that the filling material can be securely placed. In some cases, this means removing prior fillings or other materials.
4. Filling Placement
- Layering: Composite resin is typically placed in layers. These layers are hardened using a curing light before the next layer is applied, which helps to form a strong structure.
- Bonding: For composite fillings, we treat the cavity with an acid gel to roughen the surface, which actually helps bond the filling material to the tooth. A bonding agent is then applied, followed by the chosen filling material.
- Filling the Cavity: The selected filling material (composite, amalgam, or ceramic) is placed into the cavity. Your dentist will carefully fill the area, ensuring that it’s able to fully support the tooth’s structure.
5. Shaping and Polishing
- Shaping: Once the material is in place, we will skillfully shape the filling to fit your bite. Part of this process is checking your bite by having you close your mouth to ensure that the filling is not uneven and feels natural.
- Polishing: After the filling is shaped, we will polish the filling to smooth out any rough edges and have it blend seamlessly with the natural tooth. The polishing process also helps prevent staining and wear over time.
6. Final Check
- Bite Check: We will ask you to bite down again to make sure the filling is correctly aligned with your other teeth. Adjustments can be made at this point if necessary.
- Post-Procedure Advice: Our team will provide you with instructions on how to care for your filling, including any restrictions on eating or drinking while your anesthesia wears off.
7. Aftercare
- Sensitivity: It’s common to experience some sensitivity to hot or cold stimuli after a filling, but this should diminish considerably over time. If sensitivity or pain persists, contact Charvet Dental Center.
- Follow-Up: Attending regular dental check-ups are essential to monitor the condition of your fillings and overall oral health. Your dentist will check the state of your filling(s) during your routine visits and see if they need to be replaced.
A Fixer Upper
So, if you’ve never had a filling before, you have a good idea of what to expect now! It’s an extremely common dental procedure, so there’s absolutely no reason to be nervous! Contact our Charvet Dental team to schedule your appointment today. We hope to see you at our Metairie office soon!