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.

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.

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.

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.

Composite Resins imitate the colour and transparency of surrounding teeth. It is ideal for those who do not want their fillings to show.It 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. It hardens and bonds to the natural tooth, which makes the tooth stronger compared to the other types of Dental Fillings.

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.

Step 4: 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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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.