Basically Dentistry: Procedures explained

K Bhagwandin

A dental filling is done when you have a cavity. A cavity is a hole in your tooth caused by bacteria, a diet high in carbohydrates, and time. A cavity can cause sensitivity, pain, and discomfort while eating. We clean out the cavity and place a filling to stop the decay and return the tooth to normal function. Today, I’ll go over how we do a resin or composite filling. Here’s a brief explanation of how it goes.

1. First, we numb the area so you don’t feel any discomfort during the filling.
2. We use a dental drill to clean out the tooth, including all the broken-down tooth structure and bacteria inside it.
3. Next, we use a gel to help the filling hold onto your tooth.
4. We isolate your tooth from saliva in the mouth. This is done either by using cotton rolls or what’s called a rubber dam. This is a latex cover that we place; if this is used, it’s usually done right at the beginning.
5. Then we use a bonding agent to help the filling stick to your tooth.
6. We place the filling onto your tooth, shaping it to match your natural tooth. We use a blue light to set the filling from soft to hard. Sometimes, the light can feel warm.
7. We use blue paper that you bite on to help us check for high spots on the filling. We then polish it, and it should feel comfortable.

Tips

If you’re going in for a filling, it’s good to eat some time before you go. A lot of people don’t eat for fear of interfering with the dental procedure; however, once we numb your mouth, it may feel uncomfortable to eat while you’re numb, so you might have to wait.

Also, your body is used to receiving food at certain times according to your daily routine, and if you skip a meal, you may feel weak.

It is normal to experience some sensitivity after a filling. This should subside with time. If it doesn’t, or if it feels uncomfortable, it’s advisable to go back for a check-up.

Fillings may seem scary if you haven’t had one before, but hopefully you feel more at ease now. If you have any other concerns, it’s always a good idea to bring them up with your dental professional before starting the filling so they can assist you.

Thank you reading this post. I hope you found it informative and helpful.