Dental Filling If you have a cavity or decay, a dentist may remove the decayed part and use a filling material to fill the area. Fillings may also be used in repairing broken or cracked teeth as well as teeth that have worn down from misuse like tooth grinding and nail-biting. A decayed or damaged tooth can present a lot of sensitivity, often causing pain and discomfort. Visiting our dental team at Wildhorse Dental allows you to get an appropriate filling depending on the extent of decay, the location of decay, and the recommendation from the dentist. Safety of Amalgam FillingsSilver amalgam fillings are considered safe according to the American Dental Association and numerous public health agencies including the FDA. However, recently, the FDA provided an updated recommendation regarding amalgam fillings used in specific individuals. Therefore, if you are pregnant with a developing fetus or if you plan to get pregnant, you need to tell our dentist before receiving amalgam fillings. Also, kids younger than six years of age, and those with pre-existing neurological diseases may want to avoid using amalgam fillings, as they put them at risk of potential harm from mercury vapor. Dental Fillings ProcedureA tooth-filling process involves numerous steps. At the outset, our dentist administers anesthesia in the area around the damaged tooth. The dentist uses a drill, laser, or air abrasion to remove the decayed tissue. Next, the dental specialist probes or tests the area when removing the decay to help establish if all the decayed tissue has been extracted from the site. After removing the decay, our specialist prepares the space where the filling material will go in. They do this by cleaning the hole or cavity where the decay was to eradicate bacteria and food particles. In the event that the decay has occurred close to the root, the dentist may first place a liner fabricated of glass ionomer or composite resin to offer protection to the nerves. After doing the filling, the specialist finishes and polishes it. If you are receiving a tooth-colored filling, there are additional steps that a dentist has to follow. Once the decay has been removed and the area cleaned, the tooth-colored filling material is placed in layers. Using a special light, the dentist hardens or cures each layer as it is being applied. After completing the multilayering process, our dentist shapes the composite material to get the desired results. Any excess material is trimmed off and polishing is done on the final restoration. Aftercare Tips for Dental FillingsOur dentist will provide aftercare instructions to follow after the dental filling procedure. While the anesthetic wears off, avoid hot foods or beverages because you may not feel them, so they could burn your mouth. If you had a glass ionomer or composite filling, it is possible to eat after the filling is cured by the special blue light, however, start with a soft diet first, then reintroduce hard foods later on, after about 24 hours. Using these and other tips our dentist provides can help ensure proper and swift recovery, avoiding them becoming broken or damaged. Come to our office at Wildhorse Dental for a dental filling procedure. Contact us at 636-537-0447 to set up your consultation appointment. |
Office HoursMonday: 8:00am-5:00pm Tuesday: 7:30am-4:00pm Wednesday: 7:30am-4:00pm Thursday: 7:30am-3:00pm Fri‑Sun: Closed |
