What is a Cavity Filling?

A cavity filling is a dental procedure to extract decayed tooth material, alleviate pain and avoid further dental procedures. Your dentist may use composite resin, gold or silver amalgam, ceramics, glass ionomer or other materials to fill holes in your tooth.

This procedure should be quick and relatively painless in your dentist’s office, though you may experience temporary sensitivity which should resolve itself within hours.

Tooth Decay

Dental fillings (commonly referred to as restoration) are the mainstay treatment for tooth decay. A restoration entails extracting decayed tooth structure and replacing it with materials like composite resin, porcelain or silver amalgam. Before beginning this procedure, your dentist will use a tool to numb both your teeth and gums – this should take effect quickly so you may use this time to relax with music, audiobooks or podcasts to reduce stress levels before drilling out decayed portions of your tooth followed by sterilization before giving you your fillings – fillings should last around six years of maintenance work in its place!

Tooth decay refers to the gradual breakdown of your enamel, dentin, and pulp caused by oral bacteria. When eating sweets that contain sugars that these bacteria convert to acids that attack your tooth enamel and dentin resulting in cavities as well as nerve damage causing pain and sensitivity.

Once a cavity has been identified and treated promptly, its destruction can be stopped in its tracks. You can prevent tooth decay by brushing twice daily for two minutes each session, flossing once daily, using mouthwash regularly, visiting your dentist regularly for cleanings and checkups, as well as getting enough fluoride supplements into your system.

If a dentist can catch a cavity early enough, they may use special fluoride treatments to remineralize your enamel and treat the area using liquid, gel or foam treatments brushed directly onto your tooth or placed into a tray that fits over them.

Avoid any signs of tooth decay at any cost; if you notice signs, be proactive by scheduling an appointment for dental filling immediately to prevent further issues. The procedure usually lasts about an hour; plan accordingly and mark this time in your calendar. In addition, visit your hygienist first in order to receive X-rays and professional teeth cleaning before seeing your dentist for this procedure.

Tooth Pain

Tooth pain is a telltale sign of serious dental issues and should be dealt with quickly. Sharp pain when eating could indicate severe decay, loose filling or cracked tooth that exposes its nerve and root system; occasional hot/cold sensitivity could indicate small area of decay, gum recession or teeth grinding (bruxism). For best results it is advised that any issues be evaluated promptly by a dentist and steps taken immediately to mitigate further damage.

Dental fillings are quick, relatively painless procedures that can be completed within minutes. Your dentist will first numb the area with topical gel or local anesthetic injection before placing tooth-coloured composite resin filling material directly in the affected tooth and curing light for hardening it to bond it to natural tooth structure. After curing light has hardened it completely, polishing and flossing may follow to remove any remaining materials and sealant may be applied to help protect from further decay in this area.

Numbness in your mouth may linger for several hours after seeing your dentist for their procedure, so it’s essential that you refrain from chewing on or using that side of the mouth until the numbness wears off. An over-the-counter pain reliever or anti-inflammatory may help ease discomfort afterward.

Tooth fillings may be made from gold, silver, porcelain or tooth-coloured composite resin; choosing one will depend on your budget, smile goals and oral health condition. Dental fillings typically last 10-15 years before needing replacement; regular exams and cleanings with your dentist should help to monitor this. In some instances, veneers may offer a longer-term solution to tooth decay than fillings alone.

Tooth Sensitivity

If your teeth seem more sensitive than usual, it would be prudent to schedule an appointment with the dentist in order to have them evaluated. Tooth sensitivity could be indicative of cavities, gum disease or loose or damaged fillings as well as acidic diets, smoking or certain medical conditions such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or bulimia.

Tooth sensitivity typically results from worn away enamel that exposes dentin, an extremely porous and soft material with microscopic nerve fibers that reacts badly when exposed to hot or cold food items as well as sticky or acidic substances causing short sharp stinging sensations that can be extremely painful.

Over time, enamel can erode due to improper hygiene habits or activities, including overbrushing or using hard bristled toothbrushes too often, leading to thinned enamel which leaves roots more susceptible to hot or cold foods or acidic beverages as well as acidic beverages. Other causes could include excessive use of whitening products or acid mouthwashes which cause erosion leading to increased sensitivity.

Grinding or clenching of teeth can also contribute to tooth sensitivity. This habitual act, often performed unknowingly while sleeping, will thin your enamel and expose the roots, while over time fractures in this layer could form and expose more of the dentin beneath.

Dental teams offer various treatments to ease the discomfort caused by tooth sensitivity. Some examples are desensitizing toothpaste or gel that contains compounds to block pain signals between teeth and nerves; this approach may prove very helpful for mildly sensitive individuals. In addition, they may apply fluoride gels or rinses directly to strengthen enamel against future sensitivity while strengthening tooth protection from further erosion by acidic foods and beverages.

Tooth Repair

If your chip or crack is minor enough, your dentist may use similar treatments to those used for cavities in order to repair it. They could also apply composite bonding – applying tooth-colored resin and molding it into place – as a more natural approach. Such procedures help protect dentin which lies under enamel and is more vulnerable to bacteria which cause decay.

Cracked or chipped teeth usually require extensive treatment in order to avoid infection or tooth loss, and if your crack extends into your tooth’s pulp it could require root canal therapy; during which an endodontist will extract and treat inflamed or infected pulp tissue before filling and sealing all available root canals with gutta percha. Finally they’ll cap off damaged tooth with either a crown or filling for optimal outcomes.

If a cracked area does not present symptoms, your dentist may choose to splint the affected tooth with one next to it in order to keep both secure until the crack heals itself. This quick and cost-effective solution may stop further problems from developing while your dentist evaluates other possible replacement solutions.

Avoid cracking tooth issues by limiting your intake of foods and drinks high in sugar, acidity or spice. These types of food can erode the enamel from your teeth, leaving the sensitive inner core exposed to harmful bacteria and acids that could lead to decay or other complications.

Tooth sensitivity can be significantly decreased or eliminated using tooth-colored dental fillings or bondings, buff and polishing from your dentist, as well as topical numbing agents for more severe problems.