Dental cavities are commonplace. High-sugar diets, lack of proper oral care and even the irregular shape of the mouth mean trapped food particles can quickly change to plaque form, which develops into calculus and results in tooth decay. Dental fillings are needed when tooth decay has set in to the extent that tooth tissue has become damaged and must be extracted and replaced with specialised dental material to prevent further damage to the mouth. In this blog post we let you know what to expect during the process of receiving filling treatment. 

Diagnosis and Planning 

During a routine scale and clean, your dentist will visually inspect your teeth. They may also use high-resolution X-Ray devices to see what’s going on underneath the surface. In either case, if any signs of tooth decay are identifiable, your dentist will tell you that a filling is needed. The dentist will then discuss your treatment options with you. While the overall process is essentially the same (the exception being severe cases of tooth decay), your dentist will provide you with several options of filling material to choose from. 

Use of Sedatives 

Because fillings require extracting tooth pulp – an invasive procedure – local anesthetic is used to numb the area of the mouth where the tooth is seated. This is usually delivered in the form of an injection. A dental dam or cotton roll is also used to isolate the tooth and give the dentist a clearer view of the area they will be operating on. 

Removal of Decay 

Following your sedation and isolation of the tooth in question, your dentist will use a high-speed drill to excavate all of the rotting tooth material. They will drill away at the tooth until no signs of decay remain. The resulting hole will form the bed for your filling. 

Filling Placement 

Depending on your choice of filling material, the dentist will apply a small amount of ceramic, resin or metal to the hole produced by their drilling. They will shape the filling material so that it appears to be and functions just like a normal tooth. Depending on the material, a special light or chemical process is used to harden the mould until it is affixed firmly to the remaining tooth tissue. The dentist will then check the patient’s bite and will make adjustments until the proper occlusion is achieved. 

Post-Treatment Care 

After the filling treatment is complete, some numbness or sensitivity may remain present for a few hours. Following this, a regular routine of brushing and flossing and use of fluoride toothpaste will ensure that your filling remains in good condition. Your dentist will also evaluate the success of their work in consecutive appointments. 

Visit Our Clinic Today      

If you are experiencing pain when eating, drinking or speaking, do the best thing for you and call us at Ballan Family Dental today to schedule an appointment. If we discern that you need a filling treatment we will make the appropriate recomendations and accomodate your treatment right away. We can be contacted by calling 03 4310 3811 or by using the 24/7 booking form on our homepage. We look forward to meeting and treating your teeth soon.