Overview

As you may be aware, there are a number of materials that can be used to fill cavities. While filling teeth is a fairly common procedure, you may want to know more about how they are done, as well as the options that are available. As may be expected, some of your options may be limited based on which teeth need to be treated.

Why is Procedure Performed?

Even though most people receive dental fillings to stop tooth decay, there are some other reasons to use them. This includes strengthening broken or cracked teeth. You may also need dental fillings if your teeth become eroded from nail biting, bruxism, or using your teeth to open things.

When it comes to tooth decay, your dentist may use a number of tests in order to determine if you need fillings. First, your dentist will look for signs of discolouration on each tooth. In some cases, the dentist may probe these areas with a sharp metal instrument. If the enamel is not healthy, the tool will push into the area. Unfortunately, this procedure can damage a healthy tooth if too much pressure is used.

Today, many dentists make use of dyes that will stick to decayed enamel. This will highlight cavities without doing damage to healthy teeth. Your dentist may also take X-rays to search for decay that cannot be located visually. That said, if you already have fillings, they may prevent problem areas from showing up on the X-rays.

In some instances, a dentist may feel it is best to give you a temporary filling. These are usually grey or off-white in colour, and will only last a month or two before falling out. If the interior nerve and blood vessels (pulp) are exposed while removing diseased tissue, your dentist may want to use a temporary filling in order to let the tooth heal. You may also receive a temporary filling if it is an emergency situation. Typically, this treatment will relieve sensitivity, as well as prevent bacteria from reaching the tooth pulp. Because temporary fillings usually contain Eugenol, it can also help reduce pain. As you may be aware, oil of cloves also contains Eugenol, and is also used for dental pain.

Patient Concerns to be Addressed

Even though fillings are important for halting tooth decay, there are some things you will need to be mindful of. While each of these situations can be addressed by your dentist, it is always best to take care of them as quickly as possible.

Replacing Fillings

Even if you have permanent fillings, they will not stay in place for the rest of your life. Because your teeth undergo a great deal of pressure when you chew, even the best fillings will become loose or may eventually fall out. You may also find that some fillings will leak or crack. This can expose interior surfaces of your teeth to bacteria and food particles. Unfortunately, decay resulting from these conditions may not show up right away. In some cases, you amy not know that extensive tooth decay has occurred until you feel pain.

In addition, certain materials may become discoloured, or corrode. For example, silver and amalgam will eventually tarnish. On the other hand, composite fillings sometimes know as white dental fillings are susceptible to stains, and will darken or turn yellow over time.

Some Reasons Why Fillings Fall Out

Depending on the size of a filling, it may fall out if you chew too hard. Typically, this happens with larger fillings. In some cases, it may also break the tooth.

Unfortunately, certain materials will not restore the full strength of the tooth. For example, if you choose a composite filling instead of a porcelain one for large areas, it will break down much faster. As may be expected, these issues tend to occur more with front teeth, where you will be more concerned about appearance. When it comes to composite filings, saliva will prevent the material from bonding properly to your tooth. Therefore your dentist will need to take extra precautions to ensure this liquid is not present on the surfaces that will be accommodating the filling.

Cracked Fillings

Regardless of whether you have composite fillings or amalgam ones, they may crack at some point. This is usually occurs when the filling sticks out from the tooth surface, or if the filling takes on most of the pressure from biting and chewing. While some cracks will develop soon after the filling is placed, others will develop naturally over time. If the edges of the filling crack, they can usually be repaired if caught early enough.

Fillings That Leak

When a filing doesn't fit tightly against the surface of the tooth, it is referred to as having a leak. In these cases, saliva and food particles can get between the filing and the tooth. Eventually, this will cause sensitivity, discolouration, and tooth decay. Unfortunately, amalgam and composite fillings may leak at some point. While an amalgam filling will leak when it is first installed, it will eventually corrode and seal on its own. Prior to this, you may feel some sensitivity to cold.

During the process of placing a composite filling, it may shrink. If your tooth remains sensitive after a certain amount of time, you may need to have a new composite filling put in. At th same time, if the filling or bonding surface get contaminated with saliva, the composite will not bond properly. This will also create leaks.

Fillings that Wear Out

Depending on the materials used, fillings can last anywhere from 5 to 15 years. When you visit your dentist, he/she will examine your fillings and let you know if they need to be replaced. Your dentist may also use x-rays to look for signs of tooth decay, as well as cracks and leaks in the filling material. It is very important to let your dentist know if a filled tooth feels sensitive, or you notice a crack in the filling. If part of a filling is missing, you should see your dentist as soon as possible.

In order to get the most out of fillings, it is important to practice good oral hygiene. You should brush and floss each day, as well as use a toothpaste with fluoride in it. If you have large fillings, your dentist may recommend using a fluoride gel to help your teeth stay stronger. In some cases, the dentist will also use a special fluoride varnish to coat teeth that have larger fillings in them.

Bruxism and Clenching Teeth

If you grind your teeth, or clench too tightly, it can cause your fillings to wear out faster. This will also lead to increased sensitivity in your teeth. In some cases, the extra pressure caused by bruxism will cause fillings to crack. If you shine some light on your fillings, you may see these cracks.

How is Procedure Performed?

Basically, a dentist will use a four step process to install fillings. First, you will be given a local anaesthesia.

Next, your dentist will use either a drill, abrasion sander, or laser to remove tooth decay. If your dentist uses a drill, he/she will also make use of different sized burrs, or drill bits to remove the decayed tooth material. Typically, your dentist will start with a high speed drill in order to break through the enamel. This drill may also be used to outline the shape of the cavity. After the dentin is exposed, your dentist may use a lower speed drill to continue. As your dentist works to remove the decay, he/she will probe the area to make sure all of the damaged tooth material is removed.

After all the decay is removed, your dentist will prepare the tooth to accept a filling. This procedure will be different depending on the material used. For example, if you are going to have a bonded filling, the dentist will use an acid etching gel to make holes in the surface of the enamel. This roughened surface will make it easier for the filling to bond to your tooth. This type of filing tends to cause less sensitivity later on. They also have a lower risk of falling out and leaking. Depending on the depth of the cavity, your dentist may also install a liner to cover the tooth pulp. This liner is usually made of glass, zinc oxide, and resin. It may also contain eugenol and fluoride.

Once the cavity is fully prepared, your dentist will mix the filling and bond it to your teeth. If you are having a composite filling, he/she will use a special light to make sure the filling materials sets properly. After the filling material hardens, your dentist will finish off the procedure by polishing the tooth and making sure all rough surfaces are removed.

Having a Filling Replaced

In most cases, your dentist will try to repair an old filling before replacing it with a new one. That said, if you do need a new filling, your dentist will discuss filling materials with you, as well as other options associated with the procedure.

Post-Operative Concerns

Typically, you will notice some tooth sensitivity after you receive a filling. This may include issues with temperature, sweet foods, air, and pressure. In most cases, composite fillings will cause more problems than amalgam ones. Regardless of the filling type, sensitivity should decrease and go away altogether within a few weeks. If you continue to have problems, you will need to discuss them with your dentist. When you have extensive problems with one type of filling material, it may be necessary to use a different one if you need fillings on other teeth. Depending on your situation, your dentist may recommend taking the existing filling out and putting in a new one. Unfortunately, there is no way to predict whether or not a tooth will adapt appropriately to filling materials.

Perils of Disease

Even though your dentist will polish fillings, some sharp edges may be missed. These can abrade your tongue and cheek. If you notice a rough edge, you will need to return to your dentist as soon sa possible to have the edge removed.

There are two other types of pain that may occur with fillings. First, you may experience pain when you bite down on food. This is caused when a filing interferes with the way you bite your food. Unfortunately, this type of pain will only get worse over time. You will most likely need to return to your dentist in order to have the filling reshaped.

If you have two different kinds of metal fillings, you may get a painful electrical shock each time the fillings touch. For example, if you have a gold filling in an upper tooth, and a mercury filling in a lower one, you may have this kind of pain.

The second type of discomfort is a very sharp shock that appears only when your teeth touch. This is called galvanic shock. It is caused by two metals (one in the newly filled tooth and one in the tooth it's touching) producing an electric current in your mouth. This would happen, for example, if you had a new amalgam filling in a bottom tooth and had a gold crown in the tooth above it.