Getting your first filling can feel a little daunting, but it’s really not that bad. Here are the basics you need to know before you go in for your appointment, why you might need one and what you can expect.
Why You Might Need a Filling – Cavities
Cavities are one of the most common dental issues for Australians of all ages. Cavities are areas of damaged teeth that develop into small holes. This can be due to tooth decay from poor brushing or sugary drinks. If left untreated, they can become deeper and larger, affecting the inner parts of your teeth and causing discomfort, pain and unsightly teeth. They also make it more likely for further tooth decay to occur by providing places for food and bacteria to hide.
What is a Filling?
Fillings are several types of materials that fill the cavity and prevent further decay. There are several types of fillings available:
- Composite – a natural resin that is soft and easily molded. Often used for small and medium fillings.
- Amalgam – a mix of metal alloys that are soft when applied and hardens in place. These have become less popular due to a chance of cracking with changing temperatures.
- Gold Inlays and Onlays – made of real gold! Gold is strong, durable and long-lasting, but not commonly used due to the high cost.
- Porcelain Inlays – porcelain is incredibly long-lasting, lasting upwards of 20 years. It is mainly used for large cavities. It’s a very natural-looking material, being nearly indistinguishable from your own teeth.
Your dentist in consultation with you will decide what is the best material to use for your specific situation.
The Process Of Fillings
So you’ve booked an appointment, your dentist has inspected your mouth to determine the best way forward, may be taken an x-ray, and decided you need a filling. What’s next?
Thankfully, it’s a simple and effective procedure:
- First, your dentist starts by numbing the tooth and surrounding area, so you won’t feel a thing!
- The area is cleaned of bacteria and debris to protect the exposed tooth and prevent further decay
- Any decayed part of your tooth is removed with a small drill and is then filled with the filling material. The dentist will shape it to return the tooth to its natural shape and restore your natural bite. And that’s it, you’re done!
The process usually lasts around 15 to 30 minutes, depending on the size of the cavity and how long the anaesthetic takes to take effect.
Aftercare
For the next few days, your tooth might feel temporarily sensitive to hot and cold temperatures. This is perfectly natural and will subside after a few days. If it doesn’t, talk to your dentist.
To prevent further cavities, it’s important to maintain good oral hygiene (link to Oral Health article). Having regular six-monthly checkups with the dentist will make sure any cavities that do develop are found and addressed early before they develop into bigger problems and cause further damage.
Thanks for reading! We hope this post was helpful and gave you a little better understanding of fillings. If you have any questions or would like to book a check-up, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with King Street Dental in Warrawong. We’re always happy to help!