Dental Restoration
Dental restorations treatments can be used to repair teeth that have been damaged by tooth decay. Such treatments can also restore the look and functionality of the tooth.
Tooth decay is an oral issue that most people have to deal with at some point. There are acids in some of the foods we consume, like citrus fruits, and these eat away at teeth enamel. Bacteria that live in the mouth also form acids that eat away at teeth. When a person has poor oral hygiene, these acids can erode teeth to the point that the tooth becomes visibly damaged and loses its functionality.
ADDRESSING TOOTH DECAY WITH DENTAL RESTORATION TREATMENTS
The earliest stages of tooth decay do not have any symptoms, making them hard to detect. It causes many to miss a crucial window of opportunity, since the early stages of tooth decay can be reversed with fluoride treatments. Once tooth decay progresses to its later stages, dental restoration treatments are needed to repair any damaged teeth. This can include treatments like the following.
TREATMENTS
Silver amalgam fillings: These were once the standard way to treat cavities, which are tiny holes that form in teeth as they decay. The process involves the dentist removing decayed material from the tooth and filling the hole with material. The filling seals off the area, preventing acids in the mouth from expanding the cavity
Composite bonding: This has become a more popular option when it comes to treating cavities. The dentist uses composite resins to fill up cavities after removing the decayed material from the area. Unlike amalgam fillings that have a visible dark gray color, composites can be color-matched with the patient’s teeth, making it impossible to tell that a patient has composite fillings.
Crowns: Dental caps are usually reserved for more serious cases of tooth decay when the tooth’s structure has been severely affected. A large filling would only weaken the tooth at that point, so the dentist might opt to cover it up with a crown. Crowns protect damaged teeth and restore their function. They allow patients to keep severely damaged teeth.
Root canals: Root canals are used to treat severe tooth decay that leaves a tooth’s pulp chamber compromised. The process involves making a hole in the damaged tooth and removing its blood vessels and nerve. Medication is applied to fight off any infections before the tooth is sealed with gutta-percha. Teeth that have been treated via root canal therapy are often covered with crowns to protect them.
Extractions: Some damaged teeth cannot be saved. Also, there are times that a dentist might decide that an extraction makes more sense than treating the tooth. For example, there is no point treating a decayed wisdom tooth because you do not need them. Many dentists will recommend extracting a wisdom tooth the first time that it causes problems.
Fillings Treatment
WHAT IS DENTAL FILLING?
Dental Filling is a treatment modality to restore missing tooth structure which could have been a result of decay or trauma. Decay makes teeth hollow. Dental Filling helps to fill this gap and protect it from further decay. A filling is also used to repair broken or cracked teeth and the teeth which wear off due to dental habits like teeth grinding, nail biting etc.
WHEN DOES ONE NEED DENTAL FILLING?
There are various signs and symptoms where fillings can be required. The symptoms could be as below:
- A hole in your tooth
- Dark spots on the tooth
- Food stuck between certain areas of the teeth
- Chipped or broken tooth
- Sensitivity to hot and cold food and beverage
- Single or multiple cavities
WHAT IS THE PROCEDURE OF DENTAL FILLING?
Dental Filling is normally required if your tooth is decayed. It can prevent further damage and can protect your tooth.
- The very first step in this process is to see how severe the infected tooth is. This is because Dental Filling is only suitable for minor fractures and decay
- The dentist then examines the tooth and if required an X-ray would be done for precise information
- Depending upon the extent of decay, local anesthesia is administered to make the area around the infected tooth numb
- Then the decayed or damaged tooth or the areas around it is prepared for restoration
- If the tooth is damaged, then a dental handpiece or a laser can be used to remove the damaged part
- A filling is then applied to the area to fill the cavity. The type of filling will depend upon case to case and person to person
- Finally, the finished tooth can be polished to conclude the dental filling procedure
TYPES OF DENTAL FILLINGS
Dental Fillings are of various types. The type of filling to be used will depend upon the condition of decay and other factors such as a person being allergic to a material. The different type of fillings available are:
Metal Filling – This old age filling is long lasting. In this type, Silver Filling is comparatively inexpensive. But gold though expensive is a preferred choice. Because they can withstand chewing forces and last usually from 10-15 years.
Amalgam Filling – These are the most researched and widely used by dental professionals since quite long now. They are made of several metals combined and therefore, they have high strength.
Composite Filling – These are of the same color as your teeth. These are preferred if a person does not want their filing to be seen. It is recommended & suitable for front teeth. It bonds well with the tooth structure. It is also used for a chipped tooth, however, does not last long as compared to metal and amalgam filling and can also wear off with time.
Porcelain / Ceramic Filling – The porcelain filling is best suited if you have serious aesthetic concerns. These cover most part of the tooth, as a result, can be used if the decay is large enough. This long-lasting filling does not stain or wear off easily.
POST TREATMENT CARE FOR DENTAL FILLING
- Before you start chewing, make sure that the anesthesia is worn off
- Do not consume anything too hot or too cold if the effect of anesthesia is still on
- You might feel soreness around your gum area, this will last only for a few days
- Avoid hard or sticky food for a few days
- If you have a habit of grinding your teeth, then make sure you use a mouthguard to protect your filling
- If you feel sensitivity for too long or if your dental fillings come out, visit your dentist immediately
- Maintain a good Oral Hygiene routine like cleaning, brushing, mouthwash & flossing