1. Health

What is a Tooth Filling?

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A tooth filling is a dental treatment to remove decay and restore the integrity of a damaged or decayed tooth. Dental fillings can be made from many different materials.

Your dentist will use a drill and other tools to remove the decayed parts of your tooth and then clean the area. Then the dentist applies a composite resin and shines a special light to harden it.

Materials

A teeth filling jackson ms seals the hole in a tooth caused by decay. A variety of materials can be used to repair the damage and restore a healthy bite. Your oral health professional will discuss the options with you.

Amalgam is a silver mixture of copper, tin and mercury that has been in use for over 150 years. It is strong and durable, and it is ideal for the back molars where chewing takes place. It also has the advantage of being relatively inexpensive.

Tooth-colored composite resin is a common choice. It is applied in layers and hardened with a special curing light. It is a less expensive alternative to amalgam fillings and can be made to match the color of your teeth. Ceramic fillings are more costly, but they resist stains and abrasion better than composite resin. They can last for up to 30 years. Other types of tooth fillings include inlays and onlays. These are more extensive than regular fillings, and they can cover one or more of the tooth cusps.

Preparation

Before filling the tooth, your dentist cleans the area. This is to remove bacteria and debris from the cracks and cavities that may have formed in the tooth. If bacteria are left behind, they can lead to infection and toothache, not to mention a lot of unnecessary treatment.

After cleaning the area, your dentist creates an opening in your tooth by drilling out the decayed area. They will use a fast drill when working near the enamel, and a slower one when they are working near dentin.

If you are getting a composite resin filling (a combination of acrylic resin and powdered glass that can be colored to match your teeth), your dentist will apply multiple layers, stopping after each application to shine a special light on it so it can harden or cure. This will help the composite resin stick to your tooth and not pop out later. It may also be shaped and polished to ensure it fits well in your mouth.

Anesthesia

The dentist will apply a topical gel or use an injection of local anesthesia to numb the area. The latter is usually painless, although it may feel like a pin prick. The dentist will then use a dental drill, laser, or air abrasion tool to remove the decayed tissue and clean the area. The process should take less than an hour.

Once the tooth and surrounding tissue are numb, the porcelain ridgewood will fill the cavity with the required material. You may experience sensitivity to hot or cold for a few days after the procedure, but this will subside.

Sedation is an option if you are nervous about the anesthesia injection. Nitrous oxide (laughing gas) is administered through a mask and wears off quickly, which makes it safe to drive home after your appointment. However, it is important to let your dentist know about any allergies you have to sedatives before the procedure begins. They will then adjust your dosage accordingly.

Filling

Once the area is numb, our dentists will remove the damaged part of the tooth and fill it with one of the five types of tooth-colored filling materials.

Composite resin is popular because it closely matches the color of a natural tooth, and can also bond to the tooth for added strength. It is also less prone to chipping than other materials. However, it will not last as long as amalgam fillings and can require multiple visits.

Ceramic fillings are made of porcelain and are more resistant to staining than composite resin. They will last for 15 years or more, but are more expensive than other filling materials and can require additional visits to put in.

Glass ionomer is made from acrylic and a type of glass and is used for children because it releases fluoride to strengthen the tooth. However, they only last a few years and are more likely to crack or wear out than composite resin.

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