Tooth Filling

What is Tooth Filling?

Maintaining a healthy, radiant smile is more than just a confidence booster - it's a vital aspect of our overall well-being. If you are not sure whether to smile or hide your emotions, set to wipe off doubts by undergoing professional tooth filling.

Tooth filling, also known as a dental filling, is a restorative dental procedure used to repair a tooth that has been damaged by decay, trauma, or wear. The filling material is used to cover the cavity or hole in the tooth, restoring its shape, function, and appearance.

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Tooth Filling Procedure - A Step by Step Guide

Tooth filling procedure is very simple. If our dental hygienist is satisfied with the overall health of your mouth, you can get it done in a single visit. Thus pre-assessment becomes vital in assessing the further procedure.

Here are complete procedure details.

Step 1: Tooth Preparation - The dentist shapes the tooth to accommodate the filling material.

Step 2: Filling Material Selection - Our dentists choose the best tooth filling material (amalgam, composite, gold, etc.). Also, with their vast experience, they can recommend a solution that is both cost-effective and permanent.

Step 3: Filling Placement - The oral surgeon fills the tooth with the chosen material with careful precision to avoid damaging surroundings. Depending on material, they may use a layered approach, substantial layer or bulk fill.

Step 4: Allowing the filling to set - Amalgam fillings almost immediately sets within minutes. However, composite fillings require LED curing light to harden the material.

Step 5: Bite Alignment Adjustment - Many dentists ignore this step; however, our experts make adjustments to give you your normal bite back. We use articulating paper (blue paper) to help you bite easily and adjust to remove high spots.

Step 6: Shaping and Polishing - Our specialized oral hygienist shapes and polishes the filling to match the surrounding tooth structure, thus ensuring it looks natural, leaving you with a beautiful restored tooth.

Diagnosis

Our dentist examines the tooth to determine the extent of the decay or damage. You may also have to get an X-ray from our lab to ensure that nothing remains hidden.

Anesthesia

The dentist numbs the area with local anesthesia to minimize discomfort thus reducing tooth filling ache. We employ a two-fold approach by using a pre-numbing gel and then giving local anesthetic injection to make the procedure easy.

Preparation

The dental practitioner removes any decay, plaque, or bacteria from the tooth. We use high-speed drills for effectivity.

Tooth Filling Aftercare and Maintenance

Tooth filling aftercare is crucial to ensure the filling material sets properly, prevents complications, and promotes optimal oral health. Here's a guide to tooth filling aftercare:

Avoid biting or chewing on the filled tooth until the anesthesia wears off.
Avoid hot or cold foods and drinks for 24-48 hours.
Avoid sticky, hard, or crunchy foods for 24-48 hours.
Take over-the-counter pain relievers (e.g., ibuprofen or acetaminophen) as directed by the dentist.
Avoid smoking and tobacco products.
Avoid drinking through a straw.
Use fluoride toothpaste and gently brush your teeth.
Avoid a tongue scraper or interdental brushes.
Attend follow-up appointments as scheduled.

Tooth Filling Benefits

The benefits of dental filling are massive if an expert like our dentists does it. You can not only get rid of broken or cracked opening filling, but also gain cosmetic benefits.

Here are some of the advantages of tooth fillings:

It prevents the growth of cavities by removing the bacteria that causes decaying.
Fillings can last for 7-10 years.
It can restore the function of a broken tooth.
Since the front tooth plays a vital role in overall facial posture, fillings can boost the tooth\\\\\'s appearance.
It helps to reduce tooth sensitivity and pain.
Turns stained yellow or gray tooth color into natural white.
Improves speech and articulation.
Quick and painless procedure.
Less expensive than crown and bridge.
Can be used in emergencies.

Dental Filling Risks and Complications

Although tooth filling, if done by a specialized oral hygienist carries minimal complications. Nevertheless, it can still have a few disadvantages like:

Sensitivity or pressure on tooth
Filling may decay over time
Creates allergic reactions
Discoloration of the filling
Gum recession
Expensive if not covered through insurance

Are You A Perfect Candidate for Fillings?

Although our dentists can precisely advise whether you require fillings or not. But generally, individuals who have a small to medium-sized cavity or damaged tooth can consider them for dental fillings.

The common signs you may need a filling includes toothache while eating, bad breath or visible holes. People who are facing the following problems with their teeth are ideal to adopt this procedure.

Cavity: A small hole or pit in the tooth can easily be repaired through filling to avoid further damage and prevent decay.
Chipped or broken tooth: A filling is the best solution to restore a broken or chipped tooth due to trauma or wear and tear.
Gap: Dental filling brings back your old smile by filling gaps between teeth.
Worn down teeth: Grinding and clenching can wear down teeth, while a filling can easily manage this problem.
Sensitive tooth: If you have a tooth that is sensitive to hot or cold temperatures, a filling can protect the sensitivity.

Types of Dental Fillings

Broadly speaking, there are numerous types of tooth filling. However, we can easily summarize them into two major categories – direct and indirect fillings.

You can avail both types of fillings at our clinic in Turkey. Here are summarized details for your better understanding.

Direct Fillings

In the direct filling process, our dentist would directly cement the filling material in your mouth without involving the laboratory. It will only require a single visit and is recommended if your condition is mild.

Common material used for direct filling includes:

Amalgam (mixture of mercury, silver, copper, tin and zinc)
Resin composite
Glass ionomer

Indirect Fillings

If dentists involve a lab technician to develop a customized filling after taking your dental impressions, it is an indirect filling. The technician generally uses computer-aided design or computer-aided manufacturing technology.

Two common categories of indirect fillings include:

Inlays
Outlays

While the common material used for this type of filling includes gold or porcelain.

Tooth Filling Contraindications

While dental restoration is an effective treatment, there are certain conditions that will prevent you from going with the procedure.

Here are some contraindications of tooth filling:

Active infection: Tooth fillings are not suitable for teeth with active infections, such as abscesses or cellulitis.
Severe tooth decay: Teeth with severe decay may require more extensive treatment, such as crowns or extractions.
Tooth fracture: Severe fractures cannot be repaired with fillings and may require other treatments.
Pulpal involvement: Teeth with pulpal involvement (e.g. pulpitis – center of tooth or molar) may require extensive treatment, such as root canals or extractions.

Periodontal disease: Teeth having active periodontal disease may require treatment for the underlying condition before a filling.

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FAQ's

How long does dental filling last?

Metal or gold fillings can last upwards of 20 years. Contrarily, modern material such as porcelain fillings would last not more than 10 years. Composite resin, another popular material, is not as strong though.

Is dental filling painful?

No! Dental filling does not hurt. However, it may feel uncomfortable as you become anxious. Likewise, dental professionals may also use a numbing agent before treatment to minimize discomfort.

Which dental filling is the best?

For larger cavities, ceramic and amalgam fillings are ideal as they securely hold its place, while composite resin is better suited for smaller cavities, as well as repairing chipped, cracked, or broken teeth.

How many times can a tooth be filled?

There is no specific number of times you can have a filling. It depends on the size of the hole, if it becomes too large, your dentist may suggest going for an alternate solution.

Can I eat after filling?

Depending on the nature of filling, your dentist will advise you about eating after filling. However, it will not take more than two hours for your filling to settle. Thus, you can start eating almost immediately after the filling.

Do fillings fall out?

Since dental fillings are temporary, they sometimes fall out. Numerous reasons such as new cavities or decay is a common cause for fillings to drop.

Is root canal better than filling?

Although tooth filling is the best solution for minor cavities and tooth damage. However, the root canal is better if the infection has reached the pulp.