Dental Fillings

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Dental Filling Overview

Do you think you might have a cavity?
Well. you are not alone.
More than 70% of Australians suffer tooth decay in some form.
Nevertheless, Dental Fillings can cure Cavities.

What is a Filling?
Dental Fillings are used to replace missing tooth structure that has occurred as a result of consistent decay.

Tooth Decay causes the tooth to become hollow.

In that case, Dental Fillings help to close this gap and keep it from decaying further.
If you have decay, it is crucial to get Fillings done as soon as possible because if the treatment is not completed at the earliest, the enamel (outer layer of the teeth) will begin to deteriorate, exposing the dentin (the hard part below the enamel).

However, if you skip this step and do not receive treatment on time, the infection will spread to the nerve, causing the tooth to become infected and necessitating a root canal procedure. You also run the danger of the infection spreading to a neighbouring tooth, putting it vulnerable to decay.

Fillings have a strangely overblown reputation as painful, serious, or extremely negative, when in fact, the procedure is quite gentle.

All thanks to the modern anaesthetics and techniques used by our Dentists at My Gentle Dentist.

At My Gentle Dentist, we use leading technology like Teeth Bonding to treat your Cavities.

Tooth Bonding is a technique in which your Dentist will use a tooth-coloured resin material on one or more of your teeth to repair the damage.

Wondering how it’s done?

What is the Dental Filling Procedure?

Step 1: Your Dentist will select a composite resin hue that closely matches the colour of your natural teeth using a shade guide.

Step 2: Your Dentist will roughen the tooth’s surface before applying a liquid that helps the Bonding Agent to stick to the tooth.

Step 3: Your Dentist will coat the liquid with composite resin and mould the tooth.

Step 4: With ultraviolet radiation, your Dentist will harden the material. After the resin hardens, your Dentist will reshape the tooth if necessary.

All About Dental Fillings

What is a Dental Filling & Why are they important?

A Dental Filling does just what the name implies – seals a small hole in your tooth, i.e., a cavity caused by Tooth Decay.

A Dental Filling is a way to restore a tooth damaged by decay and or fracture back to its normal function and shape.

By closing off spaces where bacteria can enter, a filling also helps prevent further decay.

Fillings also reinforce the tooth to keep it from chipping, cracking, or breaking inward from trauma.

Without a Dental Filling, even minor cavities could seriously compromise the health and function of your teeth.

How do I know if I need a Dental Filling?

Only your Dentist can detect whether you have a cavity that needs to be filled, but a good “Self-check” is highly recommended.
To get started with the “Self-check”, let’s check the Red Flags:

-Tooth/Teeth having Dark black spots that are soft (decay).
-Broken/Chipped Edges, cutting onto your tongue/cheek.
-Sensitivity to hot and cold that only lasts for a few seconds and does not give any lingering/ongoing ache.

Noticed any of the 3 Red Flags?

Then, you need a Dental Fillling!
During the checkup, your Dentist will use a mouth mirror to examine the surfaces of each tooth.
Your Dentist may also use X-Rays to verify the presence and depth of decay.

What Are the Causes of Cavities?

Poor Oral Hygiene is the most common reason for Tooth Decay.

One of the culprits is Sugary/Sweet Food (fruit, candy, bread, cereal, sodas, juice and milk). When the remnants of the Sweet Food are left on the tooth, it provides sustainable conditions for Bacteria in the mouth.

Next, the Bacteria breaks down the carbohydrates present in these Foods & Drinks.

If you don’t wash your teeth right after eating/drinking, bacteria, acids, and carbohydrates can combine to form Plaque, a sticky white coating.

Acids in plaque degrade tooth Enamel, resulting in cavities or holes.

What Dental Filling Materials Do You Use?

Several Dental Filling materials are available in the market – Gold, Silver and Porcelain.

However, at My Gentle Dentist, we only use tooth-coloured Dental Filling material (composite resin) to repair Tooth Decay.

Why Composite Resin?

Composite Resins imitate the colour and transparency of surrounding teeth. It is ideal for those who do not want their fillings to show.

Composite Resin is soft and malleable, so it can be shaped to fit the cavity. UV Radiation is used to harden the resin on the tooth, and this allows the Dental Filling to blend in with your tooth and create a more natural look.

Composite Resin hardens and bonds to the natural tooth, which makes the tooth stronger compared to the other types of Dental Fillings.

What are Composite Dental Front Tooth Filling?

Aesthetics: The shade/colour of the composites can be closely matched to the colour of existing teeth. It is particularly well suited for visible parts of teeth.

Bonding to Tooth Structure: Composite Fillings chemically bond to the tooth structure, providing further support to the tooth.

Versatility: In addition, to use as a filling material for decay, composite fillings can also be used to repair chipped, broken or worn teeth.

Less Drilling: If you’re familiar with Amalgam Fillings, you’re aware that a considerable portion of your natural tooth, as well as the decayed sections, must be removed in order to place the Filling. This can cause your tooth structure to become weak. Composite Fillings, on the other hand, necessitate far less tooth removal.

What is the Dental Filling Procedure?

Step 1: Your Dentist will remove the Tooth Decay and clean the affected area.

Step 2: The cavity will subsequently be filled with a tooth-coloured material after it has been cleaned.

Step 3: If the damage to your tooth is quite extensive, a crown may be recommended. Otherwise, your Dentist will proceed with the Dental Filling procedure.

Getting a Dental Filling is very gentle, thanks to modern anaesthetics and their method of administration. To begin, your Dentist will numb your teeth, gums, and surrounding skin to ensure that you are comfortable during the treatment.

Step 5: After that, the decay in the tooth will be drilled out. The objective is to leave as much sound, natural tooth structure as possible. The cavity will then be disinfected and dried before a Dental Filling material (Composite Resin) is put in place. Once the material has hardened, your Dentist will shape it to make it look just like a natural tooth.

What are Fissure Seals?

At times, the pits and fissures in the back teeth are so deep that it is impossible for the bristles of a toothbrush to keep the surface clean.

As a result, this can turn out to be a breeding ground for Bacteria which can result in Tooth Decay.

In this case, your Dentist may apply a Dental sealant, commonly known as a Fissure Seal) to fill the pits and fissures and act as a barrier to Plaque, Bacteria and Food Debris.

Fissure Sealants are Composite Resins that are white or clear, similar to white Dental Fillings.

Are there any alternatives to Dental Fillings?

If the tooth decay is very extensive and the tooth cannot be repaired, the tooth may need to be extracted.

How can I prevent getting Dental Fillings?

Brushing with Fluoride Toothpaste: Fluoride is present in many kinds of toothpaste. It actively aids in the prevention of Tooth Decay and is a simple approach to avoid Cavities. To keep bacteria from forming in your mouth, brush with a Fluoride Toothpaste at least twice a day.

Avoid Sugary Snacks: Our oral health gets impacted depending upon the type of food we ingest in our mouths. Too much sugar can cause cavities and thus, it’s better to limit Sugary Foods and Beverages. Snacking on Sugary Foods increases the risk of Tooth Decay since the sugar remains on the teeth’s surface.

Rinse After Meals: After meals, if you are unable to wash your teeth, make sure to at least rinse your mouth with water. This allows any residual sugar on your teeth to be washed away, decreasing Plaque and Bacteria buildup.

Routine Check-up: When you visit us for a Routine Checkup, Tooth Decay and Cavities can be diagnosed early on, and preventive advice can be offered from our end. Plus, we can perform a checkup to ensure that you are properly caring for your teeth and make recommendations on how to eliminate the need for a Dental Filling.

How much does a Dental Filling cost?

The price of a Dental Filling will vary depending on:

Extent Of Decay
Type Of Material
Location Of Tooth
Sedation Used
Need For Root Canal

Prices can start at around $130 and go up to around $300.

At My Gentle Dentist, we will always consult with you regarding the best option for your teeth at a price you can afford.

What Are the Causes of Cavities?

Tooth Fillings usually last for many years before they need to be replaced.

However, Tooth Fillings can wear out over years of chewing. If you clench or grind your teeth often, you may need to have Tooth Fillings replaced sooner.

If you notice cracks on your Tooth Fillings, see your Dentist and get it replaced as soon as possible.

Early detection and treatment can reduce the need for costly and time-consuming procedures.

Are there any side-effects of Cavity Fillings?

It is important to know about the potential problems, so you can see your Dentist promptly to get Cavity Fillings adjusted or repaired.

Possible complications from Cavity Fillings are Infection & Damage.

Infection:

When you get a Dental Filling, it can sometimes dislocate from the tooth, leaving a small gap. It becomes an entry point for Bacteria, which can lead to further decay and infection.

Damage:

Dental Fillings in the cavities might also break or fall out completely. It can happen as a result of being smacked in the mouth or just biting down on something hard.

Both of these can create complications and should be treated as soon as possible

What to expect after a Dental Filling?

The numbness in your mouth will last for a few hours after the procedure is completed until the anaesthetic wears off.

Until then, it is best to avoid drinking hot or cold liquids with the new filling.

It’s important to keep in mind that the filled tooth may be sensitive to cold and heat for a few days or a week after the procedure.

If your fillings are deep, sometimes it can take up to 6 weeks for sensitivity (to hot and cold) to disappear. If the sensitivity persists beyond that, please CALL us.

Note: If you have any actual pain when biting on a recently filled tooth, it could signal that an adjustment to your filling needs to be made.

Continue to brush and floss every day and visit the Dental office at least twice per year for your regular Checkups And Cleanings.