Fillings
Dental fillings are materials used to repair or restore teeth.
Dental Fillings
They can be single or a combination of metals, polymers, glass, or other materials. One of the most common purposes for fillings is to "fill" a cavity, or a section of tooth that your dentist has removed because of deterioration. In addition to fixing damaged or cracked teeth, fillings can also restore teeth that have worn down due to abuse (such chewing one's nails or grinding one's teeth).
Procedural Details
What procedures are involved in dental fillings?
- Initially, a local anaesthetic will be used by your dentist to numb the surrounding tissue of the tooth that needs repair. Next, the deteriorated region will be removed using a drill, air abrasion tool, or laser. The location and degree of the decay, together with your dentist's comfort level, training, and investment in that specific piece of equipment, will all influence the instrument choice.
- After that, in order to ascertain whether all of the decay has been eliminated, your dentist will probe or test the affected area. Your dentist will clean the cavity of bacteria and debris to make room for the filling after the decay has been removed. Your dentist might initially place a liner made of glass ionomer, composite resin, or another material to protect the nerve if the decay is close to the root. Typically, your dentist will polish and complete the filling once it is installed.
- For tooth-colored fillings, there are a few more processes that need to be taken. They are as follows. Layers of the tooth-colored material are applied after your dentist has cleaned the region and removed any decay. Subsequently, each layer is "cured" or hardened using a specific light. Your dentist will mould the composite material to the correct form after the multilayering process is finished, trim off any extra material, and polish the finished restoration.
How should I take care of my filled teeth?
You should keep your fillings by practicing good dental hygiene:
- Getting cleanings from your dentist twice a year on a regular basis.
- Use toothpaste that contains fluoride to brush.
- At least once a day, floss.
What is Fluoride Treatment?
- A dentist or dental hygienist would usually apply fluoride treatments, which are professional treatments with a high concentration of fluoride, to a patient's teeth to enhance health and lower the chance of cavities. These in-office procedures could be applied as a gel, foam, solution, or varnish.
What happens during a fluoride treatment?
- Fluoride treatments are administered by dentists or dental hygienists as part of normal dental exams and cleanings. They'll coat your teeth with a fluoride varnish, gel, or foam. A fluoride treatment usually takes no more than five minutes.
Benefits of Fluoride Treatment
- Strengthens the enamel of your teeth.
- Stops early dental decay.
- Retards the demineralization process.
- Stops the bacteria that causes cavities from growing.