If one has never had a cavity then a congratulations! If you have had one, the professional doctors are there. About 78% of the people have had at least one cavity by the time we reach age 17, according to a 2000 report by the U.S. Surgeon General has told. However, fortunately there’s a time-tested treatment for cavities: the dental filling.
The Fillings help us by — seal a small hole in your tooth that is a cavity, caused by decay. This prevents the decay which is a bacteria-induced infection from spreading further into your tooth and also if untreated it will continue on to the sensitive inner pulp (nerve) tissue which located in the root canal. If that is what happening with you, then you would need root canal treatment.
There are a variety of the materials used to fill teeth these days, but the process of filling a tooth is similar like all out there. The first intimal step is a clinical exam of the tooth with the x-rays, to determine the extent of the decay. Then the decayed area of the tooth is treated and got rid of, usually with a handheld instrument such as a dental drill. Of course, the tooth will be anesthetized first, so that you won’t feel any discomfort or pains. Also normally one feels nervous about receiving the numbing injections, then it’s possible that taking an anti-anxiety medication or else using the nitrous oxide can help you feel more relaxed. After removing the decay, the remaining tooth structure is “etched” or roughened with a mildly acidic solution, then the translucent cement is applied to bond the tooth and the filling material together
The Various Types of Fillings
There are two broad categories of the dental fillings: tooth-colored fillings and metal fillings. Each may offer the particular advantages and disadvantages in certain situations.
What to Expect After Getting a Filling
The numbness caused by the local anesthesia should wear off within a couple of hours. Till then, it would be best to avoid drinking hot or the cold liquids and eating on the side of your mouth with the new filling. Some sensitivity to the hot and cold is normal in the first couple of weeks after getting your tooth filled. If it persists beyond that or else you have any actual pain when biting, the it could signal that an adjustment to your filling needs to be done by the respective dentist. Also continue to brush and floss as normal every day and visit the dental office at least twice per year for the regular checkups and cleanings. And also do remember, the tooth decay is a very preventable disease with good oral hygiene and the professional care, you can make your most recent cavity your last!