A filling repairs and restores the surface of a tooth that has been damaged by a fracture, decay or wear. A dental filling makes your tooth stronger and prevents food from getting in and making the bacteria spread and eat up more surfaces of the tooth. If the tooth cavity (decay) is not repaired at its early stages, it will worsen and additional or alternative dental treatments may be necessary such as Root Canal.
With proper care and routine oral hygiene, a filling has a lifespan of 5-12 years, depending on the filling material used.
Signs and Symptoms of a Tooth Decay
Tooth sensitivity is the most common early warning sign of enamel loss due to tooth decay. While there could be a number of reasons for this sensation, only your Dentist can diagnose its underlying cause. If a damaged tooth surface is not treated early, your discomfort will increase and eventually the root of the tooth will be infected causing you to have a root canal procedure done.
When filling is necessary
The surface enamel of a tooth is damaged due to decay, fracture, or wear.
A tooth’s surface needs to be evened out to improve your ability to bite or chew.
Cavity Treatment
-After a thorough exam of your teeth, gums and supporting bone structure, your dentist will discuss treatment options with you and answer your questions. If the agreed-upon treatment is a dental filling, your Dentist will:
-Apply a local anesthetic to the affected area of your mouth
-Use a hand-held instrument to prepare your tooth by removing the decayed or damaged tooth surface
-Cleanse the prepared tooth to remove debris and bacteria
-Isolate the tooth using a small, protective sheet called a “dental dam” to keep it clean and free of saliva during your procedure
-Select the dental filling material based on the placement of the tooth, the location of the damaged area
of the tooth, and the extent of its surface damage
-Apply adhesives and filling material to the prepared area and shape it to match the look and feel of a natural tooth
-Expose a special hand-held light to the filling material to harden the repaired surface of your tooth