A dental filling/restoration is a treatment used to restore a tooths function, morphology, and integrity. A material, such as composite or porcelain, is placed where decay or trauma has occurred.
How do I know if I need a filling?
There are a few signs/symptoms you may have that indicate that you need a filling. These can include, but are not limited to:
- Cold sensitivity
- Sensitive to sweet/sugary foods.
- Feeling a ‘hole’ in the tooth
- Pain when biting or chewing foods
- General tooth pain.
- Food getting stuck
Why would I need fillings?
If your tooth has decayed and has a cavity, you may need a filling. This filling will prevent any further decay, which will cause further issues and pain down the road.
If you have had a trauma to the tooth you may also need a filling if it has chipped or cracked. Left untreated decay can cause serious problems.
What types of fillings?
There are a few types of fillings that can be done. Composite, amalgam, or porcelain. Dr Sohail will discuss with you the options you have for your tooth.
A composite filling is a tooth coloured filling that is used to restore a decayed tooth. They are also used for cosmetic reasons. A composite filling can be used to build up existing teeth to change the shape of front teeth or even changing the colour of your teeth.
What happens when I go to the dentist for a filling?
Before filling the tooth most of the time Dr Sohail will numb the tooth and the gums around it. This helps avoid any sensitivity and discomfort.
We will then remove any decay that may be there. If there is a chip in your tooth and no decay, we will roughen the surface so that the filling material sticks better to it.
The dentist will then fill the tooth with the filling material, this will only take a few minutes.
Once the filling material is set, the dentist will polish the filling, making sure it is not too high or rough.
Once done, your mouth will remain numb for a few hours, so we advise you to be very careful eating.