Fillings and Restorations

Are you looking to brighten your smile and enhance your appearance after a cavity or surface damage? Well, fillings are here to your rescue!

Fillings can restore your damaged teeth by preventing further decay. It also rebuilds your teeth’s surface to how they looked originally.

When you have a damaged tooth, that means it has lost a part of itself and is thus incomplete. If the tooth was to remain in this form, it would not only be aesthetically unappealing but also may create several other dental issues. For you to avoid such an occurrence, it is vital to take action as soon as a cavity appears.

Depending on the size of the cavity, you can experience pain, sensitivity, and discomfort. Some cavities are too small for you to see with your naked eyes. This is why it is important to have regular visits to the dentist for dental check-ups.

If a small cavity is left unattended, the bacteria will continue acting on it and end up enlarging it. This will lead to further decay, and pain will start settling in as it gets closer to the pulp. Also, it becomes more complicated and costly to treat such a dental cavity.

That being said, a majority of people dread visiting the dentist’s office for dental procedures since they are unsure of what’s going on in their mouth. However, it is important to understand that visiting the dentist is vital if you would like to keep your natural teeth for years to come. You can speak to us about your fear, and we will be sure to walk you through and eliminate it.

Below is a comprehensive review of dental fillings. Read on.

Types of Dental Fillings

There are four main types of dental filling, which include composite, amalgam, gold, and porcelain. Each of these types has its own features that make it preferable over the other. Let’s take a closer look at each of them!

• Composite Filling

These types of dental fillings are created out of resin. It is a common option among a majority of patients since it can be optimized by the dentist to match the color of the existing teeth. Therefore, it will be difficult for any other person to notice you have a dental filling.

Facts about Composite fillings

• They are a preferred choice among most patients
• Made up of a material known as resin. It is a combination of special glass particles and plastic
• It can match the color of your existing teeth
• Placed on the patient’s mouth while soft and then hardened using a bright light

• Amalgam Filling

This is the most popular filling. It is a combination of different metals, including zinc, copper, tin, and mercury. The filling can be made in a dental clinic by mixing the alloys using a special machine. It is best when freshly done since it is soft and can be molded into the desired shape.

Most people like using it since it is less costly compared to other options. It is also sturdy and long-lasting as it can last up to 12 years.

The main drawback with this type of filling is that it is not aesthetically appealing. Therefore, it is not an ideal choice for a visible tooth. The material used to make the filling can also respond to temperature change and thus can expand and contract, causing the tooth to crack. Additionally, the crack can create an opening for food particles and bacteria to access the tooth leading to the formation of new cavities.

Mercury which is used as an alloy while making amalgam filling is said to be unfit for human use. However, it is argued that small portions used in the amalgam cannot cause any harm.

Due to the drawbacks associated with an amalgam filling, we do not recommend using it at our dental clinic.

Gold Filling

Gold filling is not very common, but it is one of the most durable options. It can last up to 20 years with proper maintenance. The filling is made in a way that mimics your natural teeth and thus will not crack, as is the case with an amalgam filling.

Most dentists will advise patients to use this type of filling due to its durability. However, it is not a common option among a majority of patients due to its cost.

Installing a gold filling will require the patient to make more than one dental visit. The first visit will involve taking a 3D scan of your tooth. The scan will be sent to a laboratory for fabrication, and you will have to come back after 2-3 weeks for cementation.

• Porcelain Fillings

The porcelain filling is another common dental filling option. The filling is made out of silicon and oxygen, compounded into a non-crystalline glass. One big advantage of this type of filling is that it can be made to match the color of existing teeth. In most cases, no one will even know if you have a filling since it matches well with other teeth.

Using this type of dental restoration will require more than a single visit to the dentist. This is because the dentist will have to apply more than one layer while repairing the tooth. Porcelain fillings are best, especially when dealing with a tooth that had a large area destroyed.

This type of restoration is preferred compared to a dental crown since the patient can still keep most of the natural tooth structure.

One of the major drawbacks of porcelain filling is that it is less durable compared to other options. This means that you will have to replace it much sooner since it can last up to 10 years. It is also time-consuming and a bit costly since you will have to make several visits to the dentist while installing it.

Advantages

• It provides a more natural-looking appearance
• It is durable since it can last from 10 to 15 years
• Less toxic since it does not contain mercury
• It has an improved stain and abrasion resistance
• It can support weak dental structure as well as prevent the tooth from cracking

 

Our Approach to Providing a Positive Experience

We recognize the fact that dental filling isn’t the best experience, and we strive to make the process as smooth as possible and ensure that you are comfortable.

• Tooth Fillings can prevent teeth loss, and we strive to ensure that the procedure is pain-free.
• Our dentists are trained in four-handed dentistry, meaning that the process is performed much faster and without the need to keep your mouth wide open for extended periods.
• Our teeth-filling tools and materials are of high quality to maximize the chances of success.

Reasons for Getting Teeth Filling

The most common reason why teeth filling is necessary revolves around broken, decayed, or compromised teeth. Your dentist can also request a filling to close the space between two teeth.

Tooth Decay

Teeth tend to decay over time due to poor oral hygiene and regular consumption of overly sugary foods. These conditions allow bacteria to grow in the plaque, which coats teeth if not brushed for too long. The bacteria start eating away at the teeth’ enamel, which in the end requires filling to save them.

Dry Mouth

Having a dry mouth leaves your teeth vulnerable without the protective cover of saliva, causing tooth decay. Dry mouth condition tends to occur when you are dehydrated and practicing mouth breathing. This is the reason why extensive exercise without drinking plenty of water can lead to dental issues among athletes. However, avoid hydrating on drinks with sugar content as this will only exacerbate the problem by introducing carbohydrates for the bacteria in your mouth to feed on.

You can tell if you have a case of dry mouth if you notice a tingling in your mouth and plaque builds up too quickly around your teeth. Frothy saliva and cracked lips can also indicate its presence. Dry mouth is primarily caused by dehydration and health conditions such as

• Sjogren’s syndrome
• Diabetes
• Stroke
• Oral yeast infections (thrush)
• Tobacco use
• Reduced saliva flow due to old age.

Dental Trauma

Dental trauma occurs when your teeth experience a blunt force, which can cause teeth to either chip or develop cracks on the enamel. A dental filling is often the only solution short of removing the entire tooth in case of physical damage. Keep in mind that teeth don’t re-grow their hard outer layer, so dental trauma can easily become a lifelong issue that requires a permanent treatment option.

Teeth can also wear away over time if you have the following habits:

• Grinding teeth
• Biting nails
• Use your teeth to strip wires or even open bottles.

Your enamel is also more likely to become brittle and break away if you regularly:

• Experience acid reflux
• Drinking acidic soft drinks
• Engage in recreational drugs.

In such cases, getting a dental filling is often the only way to save your natural smile by preventing further damage to the enamel.

Replacing Previous Dental Filling

As the years go by, the dental industry often comes up with more efficient and long-lasting dental filling materials which come in handy for anyone with old and worn-out fillings. When you notice that the old filling is getting loose or the area around it is beginning to discolour, you should contact your dentist and request further observation to determine whether you need a new round of dental filling. Sensitivity to sweet foods and cold weather will require further check-ups and an X-ray scan to determine if the fillings are clinically failing. This is the primary reason everyone with existing fillings is encouraged to undergo a dental check-up at least twice every year.

Is Dental Filling Right for Me?

Your dentist will examine the location of the tooth getting restored and the extent of the damage to determine the amount of filling required and whether it can maintain the tooth structure. Your dental occlusion and chewing pressure that the specific tooth has to withstand will also be considered to determine how best to support it without creating any discomfort while chewing or biting into food.

Symptoms that Might Indicate that you Need a Dental Filling

A dental filling procedure is highly recommended for dental patients who experience sensitivity to cold and hot food, tenderness and sharp pain when biting down and teeth aches. If you feel a noticeable roughness with your tongue around your teeth, you might also require filling. The presence of food caught in between your teeth can also indicate that the gaps between them need filling.

Treatment

What does the refilling process entail?

Are you thinking of getting a refill? This section will explain the process, so you are aware of what to expect during the procedure.

Inspection and diagnosis

The initial step in the dental filling procedure is to inspect the teeth and decide the best course of action for a specific patient. Usually, this procedure is best suited to minor decay and fractures. If the cavity is between the teeth and cannot be seen via a simple visual inspection, other inspection methods can be used. The dentist may also use a detecting liquid to investigate problematic areas. The use of an x-ray can also provide an in-depth look at the severity and location of decay. Also, an X-ray can measure how deep the cavity is before deciding the best plan of action.

Consultation

Before starting any work, we will let you know the condition of your oral health and show you the concerns to help you choose what will work for you. Using our intraoral camera (or x-ray), we will also be able to take close-up photos inside your mouth to let you know what’s really going on.

We also orient you to the available options and allow you to ask any questions to face the procedure with confidence. If we find an unexpected concern, we will sit you down and address it and keep a close eye on it. Expect a conservative approach from us.

Local anesthetic

This is the first step in the dental filling procedure. We apply a local anesthetic around the affected area to make it numb, increasing your comfort throughout the procedure. Still, if you find yourself anxious, we encourage you to speak about it. We have specific techniques we use at our facilities to treat many patients with needle phobia. Nitrous oxide, also known as happy gas, is available for sensitive patients.

We also rub a topical anesthetic to the affected area religiously to ensure you don’t feel the needle. The topical is available in various flavours, including mint and chocolate.

Removing the decay

Next, the decayed tooth has to be removed and prepare the surrounding area for restoration. The damaged part of the tooth will be removed using a laser or dental handpiece. Some patients do not like the noise produced during the removal of the decayed tissues. That’s why we use the noise-canceling procedure. Then, an acid gel is used to cleanse the area to rid any debris or bacteria.

Placing the filling

Placing the filling is the following step where we use layers of composite resin to repair the damaged tooth. A UV light is used to cure each layer before applying subsequent layers. This hardens the tooth and allows the filling to maintain the natural look and contour of your tooth.

Polishing and finishing

Once we are done with placing the filling, we carefully refine, polish, and shape the tooth to appear natural and align with your normal bite.

Completion

You should now feel the filling in place, which is further intensified by the numbness from the anesthetic. We allow time for the numbness to wear off, and you can feel the bite. You might notice the texture of your teeth feels a little different from before, and in comparison, to adjacent teeth. Our dentist will provide care instructions on how to improve this after the appointment.

What are the alternatives to fillings?

Sometimes if the tooth is severely damaged, a filling may not be adequate to address the situation. If this is the case, you could choose a veneer, onlay, or dental crown. A crown covers the tooth to prevent contact with food and is made of durable material, e.g., long-lasting porcelain.

If the tooth has a vertical crack, bacteria may be the cause behind the pulp of your tooth. In such a case, a root canal is the best option. Unfortunately, an extraction may be the only option if the crack is too big and cannot be restored using a filling or a crown. Our goal is to save every teeth and extraction is rarely the only way with us.

Post-treatment care

• Immediately after the filling procedure, you should not eat or drink anything until the anesthetic has worn off – This takes 1-3 hours.
• Once the anesthesia has worn off, you should avoid hard foods for a few days.
• Sensitivity to hot and cold foods may be felt for a couple of days
• Make sure to take full care of the fillings through regular brushing and flossing and after meals
• In case of new pain or if the filling feels abnormal, you should contact us right away.

How do I look after my filling?

A white filling should last anywhere from 5 to 7 years. Some patients reported it could last longer with proper care.

While the filling is just as strong as the natural tooth, make sure, you don’t bite hard things. Additionally, ensure you clean the oral regularly.

Like teeth, fillings are prone to staining from foods and drinks like coffee, cola, and red wine.

Make sure you clean your filling just like a normal tooth to ensure longevity. The fillings cannot be removed by floss. If the filling came out after brushing and flossing, it’s usually an issue with how the dentist did it.

Pain Management

Depending on the size of the filling and the extent of the tooth damage that your dentist is fixing with a dental filling, you might experience minor pain after the procedure.

•  You can expect dull pain from the injection site, especially if the damaged tooth requires extra injections.
• If the procedure requires keeping your mouth open for longer than usual, you might experience a dull throbbing pain from your jaw.
• If the dental filling had to be deeply implanted, you might also experience pain around the gum line and tenderness when chewing.
• If you experience excruciating pain or extreme sensitivity to food after getting your teeth filled, you should contact your dentist.
• You may get an anti-inflammatory and mild analgesic prescription to deal with the pain.

Risks and Complications

Dental fillings are classified as low-risk procedures for adults and children, and very few side effects are observed. You may experience increased sensitivity to pressure and temperature fluctuations in drinks and food for a short period following the procedure. Such discomforts usually fade within days as the soft tissues begin re-growing and the filling styles in naturally. If you are still experiencing discomfort or pain for more than two weeks, you should book an appointment with your dentist to have it checked out.

 

Frequently Asked Questions on Dental Fillings and Restorations

• What is a Temporary Filling?

The dentist may recommend the placement of a temporary filling due to various reasons. One instance in which the dentist may suggest a temporary filling is an unstable tooth, whereby the dentist is unsure of its survival, or you have started on root canal treatment. Usually, a temporary filling is made of glass ionomer cement. In most cases, they contain extra ingredients that can help in restoring the tooth and nerve back to good health. Additionally, the temporary filling is used as a test run if the survival rate of the tooth is doubtful. Moreover, during the root canal treatment, the tooth will be drilled severally. Therefore, it would not be practical to put a permanent filling.

• Can I have my Silver or Amalgam Filling Removed and Replaced?

Yes, you can! Our dental clinic offers this service. The replacement procedure is similar to getting an inlay or onlay. During your first appointment, the filling and any decay that might have formed will be removed. An impression will be taken, and a custom-made restoration will be prepared to fill the gap. You will be given a temporary onlay until your customized restoration is ready. Additionally, most patients prefer to have them replaced with composite, white fillings to match their natural teeth.

• Are White Composite Fillings the Best Match for Me?

Composite or white fillings are what dentists mostly use for restorations these days. They come in different qualities; however, most dentists prefer to use the most recent supranano spherical particle composite resin because it gives high aesthetic results.

• How long does the Process of Getting a Dental Filling take?

The time required to get a dental filling is different as it depends on the severity of the tooth decay. For instance, if you are getting a simple filling for a mild case of decay, then this can be done within a day. The dentist will numb the area using local anesthesia, then the tooth will be cleaned thoroughly to remove the decay, and the filling will be placed. However, if you have severe decay, then two or more trips to the dentist will be required.

• How long will it take to eat after a Filling?

Most patients can eat immediately after getting the filling; however, you need to be cautious since your mouth may still be numb due to the anesthesia. The dentists recommend that you avoid eating until you have some sensation back. However, if you are starving, kindly try your best not to chew your cheek or tongue.

• How Long Do Fillings Last?

Some patients tend to think that once they get a filling, they are set for life. Unfortunately, this is not the case. Fillings do not last forever, and they will all need to be replaced eventually. The length of time in which your fillings will last depends on a number of factors, such as good oral hygiene, the material used, and the installation process. On average, composite resin fillings can last about 5-7 years, while silver amalgam fillings can last approximately 10-12 years. Additionally, it is important to get your fillings checked regularly to make sure that they are still intact.

• How Do You Know If You Need a Filling?

It is important to visit the dentist regularly for a check-up; that is the only sure way to know if you need a filling or not. However, if you have a visibly large cavity, you need to visit the dentist as soon as possible.

Some of the symptoms of a cavity include:

• Pain or tenderness when biting down
• Sensitivity to hot or cold foods/drinks
• Toothache
• Roughness of the tooth surface felt by the tongue

 

• Are Dental Fillings Safe?

In the past few years, the Australian Dental Association concluded that dental fillings are safe and cost-effective tooth restoration choices for patients. White/composite fillings are non-toxic and are proven to be safe for your body.

• What Does It Mean If my Filling is Discolouring?

When your fillings start turning black, it is a sign that you need to have them replaced. Usually, dental fillings discolor if there is decay developing under them or if they are very old or broken down. If this is the case, it is advisable to schedule an appointment with your dentist to get your teeth checked immediately.

• Does a Filling Hurt?

The process of receiving a filling is largely pain-free due to the anesthetic that is used. After the treatment, the area can feel a little bit tender and bruised with tooth sensitivity. However, the sensitivity will reduce after a couple of days. Tooth sensitivity occurs because drills and curing lights are used during the procedure, which may bother the nerve a bit.

• Do Children Need Fillings Even If They Still Have Baby Teeth?

If your child has a cavity in one of their molars at the age of 7, it is advisable to repair it with a filling to prevent it from becoming worse. Dentists will always have a plan to do the right thing, and they will never fill a tooth that is shaky and close to falling out. However, if there is a possibility that the tooth needs to be in position for more than a year, then the dentist will consider restoring it. Early loss of a baby tooth can distort the spacing in the mouth and, in some cases, leave no space for the adult teeth to emerge. Luckily, all these can be prevented with a simple filling. On the other hand, if a baby’s tooth is badly damaged, it will require extraction.

• How Much Does a Filling Cost?

The pricing of a dental filling depends on the location of the affected tooth in the mouth and the size. Additionally, you can always talk to your dentist to offer you favorable payment plans to help spread out the cost or to help you claim your health insurance.

Check out our article : Dos and Don’ts after Dental Filling