The Dental Filling Process: What to Expect During Your Appointment

Knowing that you need a dental filling might be alarming, especially if you practice a strict oral care routine. But this treatment is crucial in keeping your oral health in check. Understanding the steps of this treatment can help prepare you for your next visit. Here are the important aspects of the dental filling treatment that you must consider.

The dental exam

Seeing the dentist for a dental filling will involve a complete dental exam. This oral inspection will determine if any of the teeth need treatment. The dentist will identify if the patient’s affected teeth have fractures or cavities. Treating the teeth right away can prevent complications like severe pain and infection.

The dentist may use a dye to show any decayed areas. There is also a metal instrument that can test the strength of the teeth. Ordering dental X-rays can help determine the extent of the dental damage. These processes are easy and quick. The dentist will then know the right approach for the dental filling appointment.

The procedure

Preparing for the visit will take little effort. A dental filling treatment is not invasive, so patients often skip fasting for dental sedation. Patients with dental anxiety must talk to the dentist about sedation. The appointment must also take place during the morning hours. This early schedule will prevent the patient from thinking about the treatment all day.

A patient may take longer in the treatment chair if there is more than one tooth to fill. The dentist may need more than one appointment to complete the treatment. In most cases, a dental filling will not take over an hour. The patient will not need to take time off school or work.

The local anesthetic

Administering a local anesthetic will make the dental filling treatment painless. The dentist will numb the affected tooth and its surrounding area. The numbing agent may be an injection or a topical gel. An injection will feel like a tiny pinprick.

For patients who need dental sedation, the mildest form is nitrous oxide or laughing gas. The patient will feel calm and relaxed as long as the gas flows. This sedation can also relieve any pain during the procedure. Patients with severe dental anxiety may need oral sedation, which will involve taking a pill before the dental filling treatment.

Getting the tooth ready

Once the anesthetic takes effect, the dentist will remove the damaged or decayed parts of the tooth. A handheld instrument and water will loosen debris and remove the decay. A suction device will get rid of any particles and bacteria. The dentist may use a laser for this part of the treatment.

Applying the filling

The dentist will decide on the type of filling based on the patient’s dental needs. Most patients prefer tooth-colored resin material. The dentist will disinfect, roughen, and dry the treated sections of the tooth. Placing an adhesive will come next. This substance will help the dental filling attach to the tooth.

Final touches

The dentist will smoothen the edges and then polish the treated tooth. Doing so will give the tooth a natural look. The patient will bite on carbon paper to determine if the filling is uneven. If it is, the dentist will file the dental filling down to help the tooth line up well with the corresponding tooth.