What to Expect When Getting a Dental Filling From a Dentist

A dental filling basically helps to fix the damage done by tooth decay. The procedure is often painless and takes a short amount of time. A filling can help prevent further decay and may allow your tooth to function normally. Read on to learn more about what to expect if you need a dental filling and about the materials that are commonly used.

Dental filling procedure

There are many different types of fillings that can be recommended by dentists. The right filling for a patient can be determined by a number of factors. These include the extent of the repair, where in the mouth the dental filling is needed, whether a person is allergic to particular materials and the cost. Teeth can be filled will porcelain, gold or silver amalgam, which consists of mercury mixed with copper, zinc, tin and silver. Composite resin fillings and glass ionomer fillings are also very common.

What to expect

The procedure for getting dental fillings is usually simple. The dentist will first examine the patient’s mouth and use particular dental instruments to check the cavity. An X-ray of the tooth or teeth may then be taken. This can help determine the extent of tooth decay.

The dentist will numb the tooth area with a local anesthetic. This is vital to prevent any pain. But a patient may not need an anesthetic in a case where the filling is just on the surface of the tooth. Once the region is numb, a dental drill may be used to drill through the enamel of the tooth to remove the decay.

Some practitioners may use an air abrasion tool or a laser. The choice of instrument usually depends on several things. These include the dentist’s training, comfort level and investment in the piece of equipment. Other factors that may be considered include the location and extent of the decay. Once the decay has been removed, the dentist will sterilize and prepare the space for the filling and then proceed to fill the hole. The dentist will then polish the tooth and ensure that the patient’s bite is correct.

After the procedure

Once the numbing eventually wears off, the tooth may feel a little sensitive or sore. But a person should not feel any pain. Patients are often instructed to avoid very cold or hot drinks and foods for a day or two. But generally, patients can eat normally.

Takeaway

Dental fillings are immensely common. Your dentist can detect if you have a cavity that has to be filled. The procedure involves removing the decay and then cleaning the affected region. The cleaned-out cavity will then be filled with the most suitable material.

But before making any decisions, make sure you are fully aware of the pros and cons of the possible filling materials. You should also make sure that you know how to care for your filling. You should not be afraid to ask any questions you might have about the procedure and materials. Your dentist will be happy to answer them.

Request an appointment here: https://www.preferreddentalcenter.com or call Preferred Dental Center at (210) 822-8500 for an appointment in our San Antonio office.

Check out what others are saying about our services on Yelp: Read our Yelp reviews.