
Why filling a cavity is necessary for your oral hygiene? How dental fillings keep your teeth away from the culprits? If you have a black or brown color on your teeth, this can indicate a cavity. This cavity, also called tooth decay or caries, can create discomfort, sensitivity, and pain. If left untreated, it can worsen the condition of your teeth and can affect your overall health. Click this link to schedule an appointment with the dentist.
What Is A Dental Cavity?
Cavities and tooth decay are among the most common health problems in the world. They are particularly common in kids, youths, and grown-ups. However, everyone who has teeth can have cavities, as well as infants.
Basically, a cavity is a hole in the tooth caused by tooth decay, a process that happens over time. Poor oral hygiene and eating unhealthy food can help bacteria to build up, resulting in this condition.
Symptoms frequently occur when a cavity is more severe, so you may not know a cavity until it is too late. Nonetheless, if you notice a cavity early, you might have the option to turn around the decay.
Here are the primary symptoms of a cavity and tooth decay:
- Teeth sensitivity
- Tooth pain, usually occurring for no obvious reason.
- Pain when you eat or drink
- Visible holes in your teeth
- Discoloration of the surface of a tooth
In case you have any of those signs and symptoms, visit your dentist right away. They will probably have to fill the cavity. Click this link to learn more about the tooth filling procedure.
What is a Dental Filling?
Dental filling is a typical method to treat cavities, which are parts of decaying tooth that turn out to be small openings. Filling a cavity is vital to protect your teeth from developing bacteria that can worsen your condition.
During this procedure, your dentist seals these openings with a substance, such as composite or amalgam. Although filling a cavity is a straightforward, routine technique, it leaves numerous individuals with sensitive teeth afterwards.
Most of the time, tooth sensitivity disappears all alone within a couple of days or several weeks, depending on the reason.
Types of Cavity Fillings
Numerous alternatives are accessible for filling a cavity, and all of them have their advantages and disadvantages. Types of dental fillings include silver amalgam, tooth-colored composite fillings, porcelain, gold, and a special sort of glass. The ideal tooth fillings for you will rely upon cost, what your insurance may cover, and your aesthetic inclinations.
Here are the following types of dental fillings:
Amalgam Fillings
Dental professionals have used this type of dental fillings for over a century. It is the most explored material used for filling a cavity. Amalgam fillings are solid and ideal for filling cavities in the back of the mouth like in the molars, where chewing happens. This filling can be visible when you smile because it is a combination of several metallic elements such as mercury, silver, and other metals. Amalgam fillings are among the most affordable of all cavity filling materials.
Composite Fillings
Composites, also referred to as filled resins, are a combination of glass or quartz filler and can be made to coordinate your tooth’s natural color. Composite fillings are also sturdy and best for small-to-mid-size restorations in parts of your mouth that perform moderate biting.
Metals
Gold or silver amalgam is the most popular metals used for filling a cavity. The gold amalgam fillings can price as much as ten times more than silver fillings. However, some individuals prefer gold to silver fillings if they desire the toughness of metal contrasted with a less-sturdy composite material. Furthermore, a few individuals do not like the appearance of metal fillings, yet they can last up to 10-15 years before you need to replace them.
Ceramic
A ceramic filling, generally made of porcelain, is tooth-shaded. This treatment may be less likely to show tooth discolorations over time compared to a composite cavity filling. Yet, the cost is a factor. A ceramic filling can be nearly as costly as a gold filling.
Glass Ionomer
This type of dental filling is a blend of acrylic and glass. Dentists use glass ionomer to make a cavity filling releases fluoride to help keep teeth. However, a glass ionomer filling is less durable than other types. You may need to replace it in as little as five years.
Proper oral hygiene, eating healthy foods and visiting a dentist regularly can preserve fillings in good condition and prevent new cavities. Also, make sure to follow your dentist’s instruction regarding the proper oral hygiene practice for your specific treatment.
What to Expect
It would be best to be at your dentist’s office for around an hour. This period gives your dentist sufficient time to have x-rays if necessary, discuss to you about the process and complete the dental procedure. Before filling a cavity, your dentist will numb your gums, teeth, and surrounding skin to keep away from and decrease inconvenience during the course. Then, he or she will penetrate out the decay in the tooth and change it with a filling. This method only requires a couple of minutes.
Once the dentist completes the process, your mouth will most likely stay numb for a few more hours. There are not any critical dangers related to filling cavities. However, be sure to have your dentist’s contact number in case you have any inquiries or complications.
The most well-known function of dental fillings is to seal a cavity in the tooth. In any case, dentists also use this method to fix damage to teeth caused by teeth grinding which can be treated using mouthguards, or replacing a portion of a cracked tooth.
Side Effects of a Dental Filling
The cavity results from poor oral hygiene practice, and a dental filling is a common approach to treat this.
Dentists frequently numb the region around the affected tooth before filling a cavity. For this reason, you probably will not feel anything during the first hour or two after your treatment. When the numbness wears off, you might discern some unusual sensations in your mouth. These include:
- tenderness in your gums
- pain in the teeth surrounding the filling
- sensitivity in your teeth particularly when contacting with a cold or hot substance
- pain when clenching teeth
- discomfort in the affected tooth when brushing, flossing, and eating