Cavities and decay can cause your tooth and teeth to be damaged, hence, your dentist will need to remove the bad part in order to treat your teeth properly. Now, once your dentist removes the bad part of the tooth, they will need something to fill in the hole to get the tooth back to its normal condition. And this is where dental fillings come in.
If you never had dental fillings before, you might be curious about how the entire process looks like – and, this is why you might find this article quite helpful. The text below will feature the steps of getting dental fillings, the types there are, as well as other important information that you might want to know. Let’s take a closer look at this guide:
How Does The Process Look Like?
As mentioned in the first paragraph, the first step your orthodontist will take is to remove the bad area of your tooth. If you request it or if he/she needs to work on the tooth for some time, they might administer anesthesia that will numb the surrounding of your tooth, hence, you will not be able to feel pain. The instruments required will depend on what needs to be done, how much it is damaged, as well as the location.
Next, they will ensure that they totally removed the cavity, which is extremely important since leaving even the smallest spot can cause a cavity to develop again. Once they are done with removing everything, the next step they will take is to clean the area from any residue and germs. This is something that needs to be done in order to prepare the tooth for the next step – which is applying the filling.
Now, the type you choose will depend on what your preferences are or what your dentist recommended, however, whatever type you choose, they will place the fillings in layers. A special tool will be used that will speed up the process of the material hardening. Once finished, they will also use several tools to shape and polish the tooth. This needs to be done in order to remove any excess material.
What Are The Types I Can Choose From?
If you do some research, you will see that you did not have a lot of filling options to choose from in the past. However, today, you can choose from a wide range of options including:
- Gold – this type is made in a lab and then applied to your tooth. Various experts believe that this filling is best, especially since the gums tolerate it well and it is extremely durable – which means that it can last for over two decades. However, there is a disadvantage. It is the most expensive choice from this list and you will need to visit your dentist several times.
- Amalgam/Silver – a few years back, this option was the most common one mostly because they are waterproof and cheap. But, nowadays, people rarely opt for them since their color is dark, meaning that it can easily be noticed. Keep in mind that you should not choose this option if you need to repair your front teeth – they might ruin your smile.
- Composite/Plastic – perhaps most common these days because its natural appearance is convenient. They are specifically manufactured to match the color of your teeth and they are perfect for the front teeth. But, you should know that there are two disadvantages. The first one is that this filling can easily stain especially if you smoke or consume coffee every day, and the second one is that they are not quite durable, meaning that you will need to replace them more often.
- Ceramic – like gold fillings, ceramic ones are also made in a lab and then applied to your teeth. They will also be made to fit the color of your teeth and they will not stain as composite fillings do. The downside to choosing this filling is that the price comes close to the price you would pay for a gold filling, hence, think carefully about what you will choose.
How Should I Take Care of The Fillings?
If you want to have good dental hygiene, as well as avoid additional cavities and protect the fillings you got, you will need to come up with a good routine, as well as make an appointment with your dentist at least once or twice in a year. According to the experts from New York Total Dental, you will want to visit your orthodontist in order for them to remove bacteria and plaque from your teeth. Additionally, you will want to brush, floss, and use mouthwash every day.
Does My Insurance Cover The Cost?
If you have dental insurance, it is likely that it will cover the cost of the procedure or at least a big portion of it. But, before you go to your dentist, make sure that you check your insurance plan to see if it will cover everything. If not, you can talk to your dentist about the various payment plans that they can offer you.
Can I Be Allergic?
The first thing you will want to know is that allergies to filling materials are extremely rare. For example, there have been less than 100 reports of allergic reactions to silver fillings. This can happen because of the materials used to make the fillings, hence, it can trigger an allergic reaction. The symptoms people can feel include skin rashes that are itching – which is quite similar to a usual rash. Once the allergy is confirmed, your dentist will take out the previous fillings and put in one that you are not allergic to.
Conclusion
As you can see, getting dental fillings is not something that should worry you. Besides your dentist going through the steps previously mentioned, you should carefully consider and talk to your dentist about what filling will suit your needs best. So, now that you know everything there is about dental fillings, do not waste any more time and make an appointment at your dentist’s office!
