Getting a Dental Filling: A Step-by-Step Process

The general dentist will begin your dental filling treatment after assessing the extent of the decay. A filling can restore a tooth with cavities. It may be quick, but it involves a process. Here are the different steps involved in getting a dental filling.

Numbing the area

Research shows that the patient’s comfort is always the priority in every dental treatment. Some people suffer from dental anxiety. These patients are frightened of pain while in the treatment chair. Numbing the area helps the patient relax. It also makes the treatment painless.

The general dentist will first apply a gel that numbs the injection area. This application helps make the injection painless. But some dentists inject the area with a local anesthetic right away. The anesthetic takes effect after three to five minutes. Only then will the dentist begin the dental filling treatment.

Getting rid of the decayed area

A tooth with dental decay may show black or brown areas. These sections are soft. The dentist can scrape them off with a dental tool. Many techniques are available to remove these decayed areas thoroughly. A high-powered drill can remove the decayed areas and shape the tooth at the same time.

The general dentist will apply a pink dye or a caries indicator. This dye will enable the dentist to double-check if all the cavities are gone. It will stain any area that cannot be remineralized anymore. It ensures the treated cavity is clean and free of decayed dental structures.

Selecting the material

Choosing the type of filling depends on the patient’s preference. It also relies on the location of the cavity. The general dentist uses a composite material for the front teeth. This tooth-colored dental filling provides a natural look. Molding this material into the cavity makes it a versatile restoration.

Amalgam fillings appear to look silver in color. These restorations have long been the common choice for many people for decades. An amalgam dental filling is a mixture of different metals, including copper, silver, mercury, and tin. The dark color of this restoration is visible. That is why dentists use it on the back teeth. However, because amalgam fillings contain mercury, many practices are no longer using them.

Glass ionomer fillings release fluoride into the tooth each time the individual bites or chews. These fillings can strengthen the tooth while restoring it. Porcelain and gold fillings are durable restorations. They are effective and long-lasting.

Placing the dental filling

The general dentist will prepare the tooth before applying the preferred filling. Composite and amalgam fillings need to go on the tooth layer by layer. This approach ensures a smooth, gapless application. The result is a secure and sturdy dental filling. Advanced developments in composite materials have made way for bulk-fill composites, eliminating layering. Applying the composite material in a single layer makes the treatment quicker.

Setting and adjusting the filling

The process of fixing the filling in place depends on the material. Composite fillings need a curing light to harden them. Amalgam fillings set without any help in a few minutes. The general dentist must work more quickly before this dental filling sets.

The general dentist will adjust the filling after it is set. This step is important to make sure it does not impair the patient’s normal bite. Grinding down some sections of the dental filling can prevent pain while performing dental functions. The dentist will stop grinding when the patient feels comfortable.

Polishing the dental filling

This is the final step in getting a filling. The general dentist has polishers that make the material feel and look shiny. Polishing is a painless step. Finishing the filling this way also allows the treated tooth to blend well with the surrounding natural teeth.