About Fillings
This information is intended for general information only and should not be considered as medical advice on the part of Health-Tourism.com. Any decision on medical treatments, after-care or recovery should be done solely upon proper consultation and advice of a qualified physician.
What is a Filling?
A filling is a method of restoring to a tooth damaged by decay back to its normal shape and function. When a dentist offers you a filling, he or she first gets rid of the decayed tooth material, cleans the damaged part, after which uses a filling material to fill the cleaned out the cavity.
Which kind of filling is best? No one kind of filling is best for everybody. What is best for you will depend on the extent of the repair, whether you have allergic reactions to particular materials, where in your mouth the filling is required, and the cost. Things to consider for different materials are:
- Gold fillings are created to order in a laboratory after which they are cemented into place, and might last over twenty years.
- Amalgam (silver) fillings are fairly cheap and resistant to wear.
- Composite (plastic) resins are paired to be the same shade as your teeth, thus used where a natural look is preferred.
- Porcelain fillings are known as inlays or onlays and are created to order in a lab, after which they are bonded to the tooth. They may be matched to the tooth color of the tooth and resist discoloration.
If a fracture or decay has damaged a huge portion of the tooth, a cap, or a crown, might be recommended. Decay, which has reached the nerve, might be treated in two ways: through a procedure known as pulp capping or through root canal therapy.
What goes on when you get a filling? If your dentist chooses to fill a cavity, he or she will first get rid of the decay and clean the affected part. The cleaned-out cavity will then be filled with any of the range of materials outlined above.
How do you know you if you need a filling? Only your dentist will detect whether you have a cavity that should be filled. During a check-up, your dentist will use a small mirror to check out the surfaces of every tooth.
Whatever appears abnormal will then be closely examined with special instruments. The kind of treatment your dentist decides on is determined by the scope of damage brought about by decay.
What are indirect fillings? Indirect fillings are much like tooth-colored or composite fillings except they are produced in a dental laboratory and need two visits before being placed. Indirect fillings are considered when insufficient tooth structure remains to support a filling, but the tooth isn't so seriously damaged that it requires a crown.
What is a temporary filling and why would you need one? Temporary fillings are recommended under the following circumstances:
- Following a root canal.
- For fillings, which need multiple appointments, for instance, before placement of gold fillings and for specific filling procedures (known as indirect fillings), which use composite materials.
- If emergency dental treatment is required (like to attend to a toothache).
- To let a tooth's nerve to "settle down" in case the pulp got irritated.
Risks : Tooth sensitivity following placement of a filling is quite popular - A tooth might be sensitive to temperature, air, pressure, or sweet foods. Typically, the sensitivity subsides on its own within several days. Within this time, stay away from those things, which are triggering the sensitivity. Pain relievers are usually not needed.
Pain around the fillings - If you have pain when you bite, the filling might be interfering with your bite. You must return to the dentist and have your filling reshaped. If you have pain when your teeth touch, the discomfort is probably due to the touching of two different metal surfaces, and ought to resolve on its own within a short time frame.
Referred pain – It is sensitivity or pain in other teeth apart from the one which got the filling. The filled tooth is just transmitting along the so called "pain signals" it's getting to other teeth. This pain ought to reduce on its own over one or two weeks.
After care : To maintain fillings, you must adhere to good oral hygiene, using an antibacterial mouthwash at least once every day, flossing, visiting your dentist frequently for cleanings and using fluoride toothpaste to brush your teeth.
Learn more about Fillings