Our teeth have important functions they perform. They help us chew, speak, and smile. Like other body parts, they need regular care and maintenance to stay healthy. According to the American Dental Association, regular brushing, flossing, and dental checkups are important for good oral health. However, despite our best efforts, teeth can get damaged, and that’s where dental procedures like tooth filling come in. At Sunny Dental, we offer comprehensive dental procedures, including fillings and emergency dental treatment. Our team of experienced dentists has all it takes to treat any dental condition you might have.
What is a Dental Filling?
A dental filling is a material used to repair a damaged area of existing teeth, especially the cavity. Cavities are caused by tooth decay, which eats away at the tooth’s enamel. The cavity-filling material is placed in the cavity to do the following:
- Stop Decay: The cavity filling functions as a barrier and prevents further tooth decay from getting to the deeper layers of the tooth.
- Restore the Strength of the Teeth: Fillings help rebuild the damaged tooth structure and restore its strength while preventing further fractures or cracks.
- Maintain the Functionality of the Teeth: Filled teeth can function normally again, which allows you to chew painlessly and comfortably.
Types of Dental Tooth Fillings
When it comes to fillings, the first thing to understand is that there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. Dentists use different materials depending on the patient’s needs.
Composite Tooth Fillings
- Natural Appearance: Composite fillings are tooth-colored and can be precisely matched to the shade of your natural teeth, providing a seamless and aesthetically pleasing look.
- Strong Bond: The composite resin material bonds well to the tooth structure, providing additional support and strength to the affected tooth.
- Versatile Application: Composite fillings are ideal for smaller cavities. They can be used on both front and back teeth and for repairing chipped or worn teeth.
- Minimally Invasive: Less drilling is required compared to other types of fillings, preserving more of your natural tooth structure.
- Quick Setting Time: Composite fillings are cured and hardened with a special light, allowing for immediate functionality and minimal downtime after the procedure.
Ceramic Tooth Fillings – Tooth Colored Filling
- Superior Aesthetics: Made from high-quality porcelain, ceramic fillings offer excellent aesthetics, closely mimicking the natural translucency and appearance of real teeth.
- Stain Resistance: Ceramic fillings are highly resistant to staining, maintaining their color and appearance over time, even after eating and drinking staining foods and beverages.
- Durability: Porcelain is a strong and durable material, making ceramic fillings long-lasting and resilient to wear and tear.
- Biocompatibility: Ceramic fillings are biocompatible, meaning they are less likely to cause allergic reactions or sensitivity issues compared to some metal fillings.
- Customizable Fit: These fillings can be precisely crafted to fit the cavity, ensuring a snug and comfortable fit that enhances the tooth’s structural integrity.
At Sunny Dental, our experienced dentists will discuss the options with you based on your specific tooth conditions and needs.
How is the Filling Procedure Done to Prevent Tooth Decay?
Getting a filling may sound daunting, but it’s a routine procedure that dentists perform regularly. You may want to check if you have a dental insurance cover. Here is a step-by-step overview of what to expect when going for a dental tooth filling:
Step 1. Examination and Diagnosis: The dentist will first examine your teeth to diagnose the cavity and determine if a tooth-colored composite resin or other cavity filling is the best treatment. X-rays may also be taken to evaluate the extent of the tooth decay.
Step 2. Preparation of the Tooth: If it is established that a tooth-colored composite resin filling is appropriate for your condition, the dentist will likely administer local anesthesia treatment to numb the area around the tooth to prevent pain during the extraction. Next, the dentist will use a laser or drill to remove the decayed part of the tooth.
Step 3. Placing the Filling: The cavity filling material type will determine the specific steps involved in the placement. For composite resin fillings, often a common choice among patients, the first step in the placement is the layering process. Tooth colored composite are usually applied in layers, and each layer is cured with a special light to harden the material. After the layering, the dentist will carefully shape the tooth-filling materials to match the original shape of your tooth. Once the filling is shaped, a final curing light is applied to harden the newly filled tooth completely. The dentist will then polish the filling for a smooth and natural feel.
Aftercare and Maintenance: How to Care for Dental Fillings After Tooth Fillings
Following a filling procedure, proper care is crucial to ensure the longevity of your restoration and overall oral health. In this section, we’ll share immediate aftercare tips and the long-term maintenance and oral hygiene practices to maintain your dental restoration.
Immediate Aftercare Tips for Tooth Colored Fillings:
Pay Attention to the Numbness: Avoid chewing on the filled tooth until the local anesthetic administration completely wears off. This is to prevent accidental biting or injury.
Saltwater Rinse: The American Dental Association recommends that you gently rinse your mouth with warm salt water after a few hours to help reduce any discomfort or swelling.
Eat only Soft Foods: For the first day or two, stick to only soft foods that require minimal chewing to allow the cavity filling to set properly.
Long-term maintenance and Oral Hygiene Practices to Prevent Tooth Decay
Regularly Brush and Floss: Maintaining a consistent oral hygiene routine with twice-daily brushing and daily flossing is critical to remove plaque and prevent future tooth decay around the filling.
Watch What You Eat: Reduce acidic and sweet foods and drinks, as these can contribute to tooth decay and possibly damage the fillings.
Regular Dental Checkups: Schedule regular dental checkups and cleanings so that your dentist can monitor your fillings and overall oral health.
When to Consult a Dentist
It is normal to experience mild sensitivity after a filling. However, if it continues or worsens, we recommend that you contact your dentist. If you also notice that your filling is cracked or chipped, see your dentist as soon as possible to prevent further damage to the tooth.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Dental Fillings
Dental fillings are a valuable tool for restoring damaged teeth and maintaining oral health. However, like any other medical procedure, there are pros and cons. Let’s look at some of these briefly.
Benefits of Getting a Dental Filling
Dental Fillings Stop Decay. Fillings prevent cavities from growing larger and reaching the sensitive pulp of the tooth. This procedure can prevent the need for a root canal later on.
Restores the Function of Your Teeth: Filled teeth let you chew efficiently and comfortably, preventing digestive issues that arise from difficulty in chewing.
Improves Confidence: Fillings can enhance the appearance of your teeth and smile, especially with tooth-colored fillings. This can boost self-esteem and confidence.
Preserve Your Tooth: Fillings let you keep your natural sound tooth structure, which is preferable to extracting the tooth and requiring a replacement like a bridge or implant.
What Alternative Dental Restorations Are Available Beyond Fillings?
While fillings are a common and effective solution for many dental conditions, there are situations where other dental restoration options might work better. Let’s look at some alternatives to dental filling materials.
Inlay and Onlays
These are custom-made ceramic or composite resin pieces bonded to the tooth. They are a good choice for teeth with larger areas of damage or decay that are not severe enough to require a crown. Inlays fit within the cusp, that is, the pointed chewing surface of the tooth. Onlays, on the other hand, cover a larger portion of the tooth structure remains.
Crowns
Crowns are caps that are placed over the entire tooth to restore its size, shape, and strength. Crowns are used for teeth with extensive cracks, damage, fractures, or large fillings. They are available in various materials, including metal, porcelain, or a combination. They offer a strong and aesthetically pleasing restoration.
Other Dental Restoration Options
In addition to Inlay, Onlays, and Crowns, there are other dental restorations you can explore. There are dental implants, which are sometimes recommended for missing teeth. Dental implants offer a permanent and natural-looking solution to a missing tooth. Bridges are another option. They are fixed restorations and can use a gold crown to anchor artificial teeth to replace one or more missing teeth. Dentures are another type of dental restoration. They are removable replacements for all or most of the teeth in an arch.
The best course of action often depends on the specific situation and your dentist’s assessment. They will usually consider the extent of the damage, the location of the tooth, your overall oral health, and your cosmetic preferences.
Final Thoughts on Dental Restoration
Dental Filling materials are undoubtedly a safe and effective way to restore damaged teeth, prevent future tooth decay, and improve your confidence.
At Sunny Dental, we offer different filling options to fit your needs and budget. With our team of experienced dentists and commitment to patient comfort, you can trust us to get your fillings done perfectly and seamlessly. Schedule a consultation with us today.
