Dental what is a filling

Think of dental fillings as an asphalt patch in the road that is your mouth. Those cracks and potholes need to be filled with aggregate to stop them from getting worse and collecting debris and organic materials that can weaken the structural integrity of the pavement. The same principle can be applied to your teeth.

Teeth can become damaged due to a traumatic injury caused by blunt force or they can develop cavities due to poor oral and dental care. Dental fillings are used to fill in and seal cracks or holes in your teeth to prevent infection from occurring. Dental fillings and the application process has evolved tremendously since they were first invented in the s.

A lot of advancements have been made in the field of dentistry since that time that have led to the development of several types of dental fillings that are composed of various materials and serve slightly different purposes. One of the biggest and most important developments is that dental fillings can be made to match the exact shape and shade of your surrounding teeth. The idea is to make them blend in as much as possible so that they fit in seamlessly with your other teeth.

For a while, silver amalgam fillings were the most commonly used fillings in dentistry, but that popularity is slowly dwindling due to the unattractive and conspicuous aesthetic limitations of this type of filling. Composite resin fillings, which can be made to match the natural colour of your teeth, are quickly becoming the more popular dental filling option around the globe.

Once used as a show of elitism and wealth, gold fillings are one of the most expensive dental filling options on this list. Porcelain fillings are a more discreet alternative to gold fillings because they can be custom-made to match the shade of your surrounding natural teeth. These require more than one appointment to complete. Lastly, there are glass-ionomer cement fillings. These are arguably, the least commonly used type of filling. For that reason, glass-ionomer cement fillings are only used for very specific applications beneath the gum line to slowly release fluoride into the tooth.

Dental filling applications are among the most common cosmetic and corrective procedures performed by dentists and dental health professionals. When deciding whether or not a tooth filling treatment is appropriate for patients, dentists typically look for the following signs.

During your routine dental checkup or exam, your dentist will carefully inspect the health and strength of your teeth. Cavities are holes in your teeth that can start off small but can quickly expand if left untreated for too long. These are usually caused by harmful bacteria associated with plaque and tartar buildup on the teeth. Your dentist will apply a dental filling to prevent the cavity from getting bigger.

Traumatic oral injuries caused by a blunt force to the face can lead to chipped or broken teeth. These are usually classified as dental emergencies.

Your dentist will examine the damaged tooth and determine the best course of action. If the damage is minimal, they can most likely repair the tooth with a simple composite resin dental tooth filling. Tooth discolouration can occur for a number of reasons including staining from certain foods and beverages or a lack of proper dental hygiene. Your dentist will use a small mirror to examine the surfaces of each tooth, and anything that looks abnormal such as discoloration, is sensitive to temperature changes or defective, will be closely checked and X-rayed.

The treatment will depend on the extent of damage and the type of filling you agree on. The right type of tooth filling for you will depend on the extent of the repair, any allergies to filling materials, the location of the cavity and the cost. When you get a filling, you might first be given local anesthesia to numb the area. Next, your dentist will likely use a drill to cut through the enamel and remove decay.

Once the drill reaches the dentin, or second layer of the tooth, the dentist typically uses a lower-speed drill, because dentin is softer than enamel. Your dentist will shape the space to prepare it for the filling. They might also put in a base or a liner to protect the tooth's pulp where the nerves are. If your dentist is placing a bonded filling, generally done with composite fillings they will first etch the tooth with an acid gel. Etching makes tiny holes in the tooth's enamel that the composite material fills as the dentist places the filling.

A bonding material is also used so that the filling bonds to the tooth in two ways. Bonded fillings can reduce the risk of leakage or decay under the filling. Certain types of composite fillings get hardened by a special light. With these fillings, your dentist will layer the material, stopping several times to shine a bright light on the resin to cure harden the material and make it strong.

Finally, your dentist will use burs to finish and polish the filled tooth. Occasionally, sharp edges might remain after your appointment.

These can easily be fixed by your dentist during a follow-up visit. After getting a filling, it's possible that you could experience some changes in sensation on the tooth, but these symptoms usually don't last long and fade with time.

For example, some people feel sensitivity to pressure, air, sweet foods or cold foods after they receive a filling. Usually, this sensitivity will decrease in 1—2 weeks. However, if you experience immediate pain and extra pressure when you bite down after getting your filling, it's possible that the filling is too tall. This is more common than you might think but your dentist can easily correct it. In some cases, people might experience a sharp shock feeling, called galvanic shock after getting a filling.

This kind of shock is caused by two metals one in the newly filled tooth and one in the tooth it's touching producing an electric current in your mouth. This would happen, for example, if you had a new amalgam filling in a bottom tooth and had a gold crown in the tooth above it. Are you still feeling pain after 2 weeks? While uncommon, extreme or prolonged sensitivity might mean you need to pay your dentist another visit. Some reasons might include needing to use a different filling material in the future or replacing the filling, adding a base, liner or desensitizing agent to the tooth.

In some cases, if your filling is too deep, your dentist might recommend a root canal treatment. Fillings shouldn't keep you from wearing your smile proudly. So, whether you need a filling now or in the future, you can feel confident about the process and what to expect from your appointment. This article is intended to promote understanding of and knowledge about general oral health topics.

It is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your dentist or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment. Shop Now. Our Mission. Contact Us. United States US English. Submit an Idea. Brand Logo.