Over time, due to bad dietary habits, your teeth started decaying. This is not a good sign of oral health. The first preventive step is to avoid bad dietary habits. Next, see a dentist for an in-depth assessment of the damage that has been caused. The dentists may suggest dental filling procedures. It is aimed to repair the decayed teeth, helping them to restore their original form.
It has 2 main benefits. First, it restores the teeth’ surfaces. Second, it enhances jaw functions including biting and chewing. Gum sensitivity is commonly reported in patients with tooth decay. It happens because of enamel loss – dental filling can resolve this issue. Let’s discuss it in detail.
Dental Filling Procedure
On noticing the symptoms of tooth decay, reach the dental clinic for an appointment. Consult with your doctor about the procedure. Before this, the dentists will carry out the inspection of your teeth to suggest treatment. If the decay is less severe and can be managed with a dental filling, the dentist will guide you through this. If the decay is severe, you may be recommended dental implants.
With the help of a dental probe, a teeth examination is performed. In some cases, an X-ray is required.
For a dental filling procedure, the dentist may choose between various materials to prevent future damage to teeth followed by decay. Following are the filler materials;
- Direct composite bonding
- Glass ionomer
- Gold inlays
- Porcelain
- Silver amalgam
The material will be chosen considering;
- Cavity location
- past medical history
- Aesthetic requirements
- Financial status
- Personal preferences
Porcedure
Before starting the procedure, the dentist will apply local anaesthesia using dental injection. It will add to the comfort of the patient. The targeted teeth are now numb and you won’t feel much irritation.
Followed by anesthesia, for restoration, the targeted teeth, and surrounding area will be prepared. For the removal of damaged parts, a dental laser is effective. Using acid gel, the targeted area will be cleansed to remove bacteria and debris. Now, filling material will be applied. The cavities are filled as required.
If you or the dentist agreed on composite material filling, then adhesives will be used before filling. Afterward, composite material is hardened using special bonding light.
The final step of dental filling is to polish the teeth.
After the procedure, the dentists should guide the patient on the prevention of tooth decay underneath or close to the filling. These preventive measures may further help in the prevention of overall tooth decay.
A dentist should ask the patient strictly to follow oral care practices. These include daily brushing of teeth (2 times a day), and an interdental cleaner daily use. It is recommended to have fluoride mouth rinses frequently. It avoids further decay.
You may also request your dentist for sealant. It is applied over the molars posteriorly. It helps avoid plaque accumulation and decay.
In some cases, the patient may need follow-up visits. It is to track the progress and for a regular expert cleansing.
Take Away!
Tooth decay is not good for your oral health so, fetch an appointment with the dentist as soon as possible. If you need any kind of help, leave the comment.
