According to The State of Oral Health in Canada, nearly 35% of the world population lives with untreated tooth decay. A large number of people among them avoid treatment due to fear of dental procedures. Have you been diagnosed with a cavity? Has your dentist asked you to get a dental filling? Are you one among the thousands of people who dread the thought of visiting a dentist’s office? If yes, then this article might help you calm your nerves.
Gone are the days when dental procedures meant undergoing painful treatments. With advancement in general dentistry in Edmonton, tooth restoration and various other treatments are almost painless. Read on to understand what to expect in a typical dental filling procedure.
Most clinics providing general dentistry in Edmonton provide dental filling services to patients. Although the name says dental filling, the procedure involves a lot more than just filling your tooth cavity. The dentist will remove the decayed tooth material to prevent a bigger cavity or an infection that can lead to bone loss. If left untreated, cavities can lead to other health issues like heart problems, or complications in pregnant women.
When you visit your dentist, he will first numb the affected area so that you don’t feel any pain during the procedure. He will then use a dental drill, laser or an abrasion device to remove the decayed portion of your tooth and then sterilize the area before filling it with a suitable material.
Once the decayed material is removed, you will be left with a hole in your teeth. This is filled with a suitable cavity-filling material. Your dentist will prescribe a dental filling material for you based on your allergies, the extent of repair required and the place where the filling will go in your mouth. The most commonly used filling materials are:
This is one of the most expensive filling options. It is usually made to order in a laboratory and then cemented in your mouth. They are highly durable and, with proper care, can last for upto 15 years or longer.
Ceramic fillings resemble the color of your natural teeth and are considered to be a good choice. Unlike other types of fillings, ceramic uses specialized equipment. Hence, getting a ceramic filling done tends to take more time.
These are known to be some of the most cost-effective option for dental fillings. They can last for about 10 years or longer. The only downside of amalgam fillings is that they are dark in color and are easily noticeable, unlike ceramic fillings.
After the procedure, you will be asked to avoid solid foods for sometime as the numbness from the anaesthesia can lead to you to accidentally bite your gums or teeth. It may take about 48 hours for your filling to set depending on the type of filling used.
Taking care of your dental filling is a lifetime commitment. With proper care and caution, you will be easily be able to prolong the life of your dental filling.
If you wish to know more about dental fillings, then reach out to us. Our clinic focuses on general dentistry in Edmonton.