When you have cavities, the immediate solution you have in mind is to have dental fillings. How will you know if it’s time for dental fillings? It is essential to recognize the symptoms and understand the process before getting one.
Dental fillings are necessary when you have advanced tooth decay. It is required to have dental fillings when the tooth’s color, shape, or structure is compromised. Also if you experience extreme pain and the hole is visible to the naked eye.
Dental fillings are a very safe and versatile way to fix teeth that have decay. They are not the only solution, but they certainly should be considered. Learn the benefits and risks so you can make your own decision about dental fillings.
More On Why Dental Fillings are Necessary
Dental fillings are necessary to repair the damage done to teeth by cavities. If ignored or left untreated, cavities could pose a danger to oral health and overall well-being. Dental fillings can help restore your teeth’ original form and function while reducing the signs of wear that occur with age.
What are Dental Fillings?
Dental fillings are used to repair rather than replace damaged teeth. Fillings prevent further damage and protect the tooth from further decay. An excellent dentist will tell you whether you need filling or are better off with another treatment method.
Don’t Delay Your Dental Filling Appointment (JUST DO IT!)
You are probably thinking of delaying your dental filling procedure appointment. I disagree! Your dentist is the only person who can tell when is the proper time for you to have the treatment. So when the dentist tells you to do it, JUST DO IT! (Nike says) Kidding aside, the untreated cavities can grow over time and will lead to further damage not only on your oral health but also on your overall health.
What Are the Benefits of Dental Fillings?
- Short and Straightforward Procedure— It typically lasts for an hour.
- Longevity— Tooth-colored fillings usually last for five to seven years; silver fillings, on the other hand, last for 12 years.
- Price— Usually, it is covered by dental insurance.
- Appearance— Silver dental fillings are a thing of the past. Modern restorations are made of ceramic or porcelain materials to match your natural teeth, which means you can restore your smile without sacrificing aesthetics for durability.
- Chipped or Shattered Tooth— Another beneficial use of fillings.
- Fill Cavities— When a dental hole is too large or prevents infection, your dentist may remove some tooth and replace it with a filling.
- Prevents Oral Infection— Dental fillings can help you keep your mouth healthy.
- Deterioration of Teeth— Stopped by dental fillings.
What Are the Risks of Dental Fillings?
The possible risks of dental fillings are tooth damage and infection. Dental fillings are prone to failure and may cause health problems. It would be best if you get dental fillings checked regularly. Allergic reaction is one of the common risks of dental fillings.
If you want to ensure no harmful chemicals in your fillers, it is always a good idea to ask your dentist. Your dentist may discuss with you the materials used in your fillings so you can have your options.
If you feel pain or any discomfort, you must seek the dentist’s attention immediately to prevent further damage to your teeth. The experts can change the materials used and create a barrier between your mouth and the materials. Another risk is your sensitivity to hot and cold. When you get a filling and your teeth start to hurt when you eat something cold, your tooth is not recovered. Ice cream and other cold foods or beverages may cause pain while the fillings are still settling in. Many people get this pain during dental treatment. Typically, it will go away almost immediately. It frequently takes 2-3 times for the pain to start subsiding after each dental filling treatment. However, don’t hesitate to get in contact with your dentist if you experience severe pain that lasts for more than three days.
Do Dental Fillings Hurt?
Dental filling treatments may cause pain. To eliminate pain, your dentist will likely administer a local anesthetic. The most common is Lidocaine. First, a numbing gel is put on the tissue so you won’t feel anything during the process. Now lidocaine will be injected into the numbed gum tissue.
Worry no more because the whole process is not painful. You will only feel pain before the procedure and after since the anesthetic will eventually wear off after the operation. There will be discomfort or tingling after the dental filling, but it will not be a big problem because it will only last for a couple of days. Your dentist may recommend some medication to help lessen the pain and help you feel comfortable during the healing process. You may expect soreness and tenderness, mainly in the area where the operation happened. This feeling is entirely normal, and you don’t need to panic. If the pain continues after several weeks, you can go back to your dentist and tell them to adjust the filling, and you will be fine.
Can Dental Fillings Last a Lifetime?
Dental fillings may not last forever. Some types of dental fillings can last up to 20 years in the right occurrences. The longevity of your dental fillings mainly depends on the status of your oral hygiene, the filling material, and the severity of the cavity.
How to Make Dental Fillings Last Longer
Visiting your dentist for regular dental appointments can help your dental fillings last for a long time. Be cautious of your bad dental habits. For example, if you are grinding and clenching your teeth. Your dentist may prescribe you a mouthguard to prevent damage to your dental fillings and safeguard your jaw and teeth. You may expect your fillings to loosen over time due to chewing. When the fillings start to loosen, it will create pockets for food to accumulate, which will lead to dental decay. At this time you may need your fillings to be replaced. The filling substances can also affect the longevity of your dental fillings.
What Are the Main Types of Fillings?
- Cast gold fillings are mainly made of gold. A cast gold fixture may also be made from other metals as well. These metals can include silver and copper. Cast gold fillings may last 10 to 15 years.
- Silver fillings are also known as Amalgams. Amalgams may last up to 10 to 15 years. Amalgam is a traditional dental filling material that has been used for centuries to complete teeth.
- Tooth-colored fillings may last up to 5 years. They are made from a material that becomes hard when applied. This allows the dentist to ensure your filling will stay in place and not fall out like it sometimes does with other types of temporary braces.
- Composite fillings may last up to 5 years. A composite filling is a sort of mixture that bonds to your teeth. It’s made from ceramic and plastic compounds, so it’ll hold up well over time.
- Ceramic fillings can last up to 15 years or more. Ceramic fillings are a great alternative to metal ones. They’re safe, don’t contain any toxic materials and they will last longer than traditional teeth restorations too.
- Porcelain fillings can last up to 15 years or more. Porcelain fillings are custom made in the lab and produced out of porcelain, as their name implies. Porcelain fillings are able to withstand powerful biting forces withstanding temperature changes within our mouth without changing color when exposed to various foods.
- Glass ionomer fillings may last around 5 years. A flexible paste, glass ionomer is used to form a tight seal between the exposed tooth and its surrounding environment. It acts as an effective protector by acting like glue in your mouth.
- Indirect fillings may last for over 30 years. These are made in a dental laboratory and then bonded onto the tooth so that they can give you both aesthetics as well functionalities back for all parts of it.
- Temporary fillings last for a month. A temporary filling is a type of restoration that has been placed to close up or build upon tooth decay. These are generally made from softer materials, but they’re not intended as permanent solutions because every time you bite into something hard it will wear away at these fillings until eventually all there’s left behind is gum tissue.
