Are you fighting with tooth pain or tooth sensitivity? Then you likely need your teeth checked for cavities.
What Is A Cavity Filling?
A cavity is the hard surface of your tooth when damaged and that damage develops into a hole. Basically, a cavity is tooth decay. This is typically caused by micro-organisms, which builds up from eating unhealthy food and not caring for your teeth properly.
Symptoms naturally happen when a cavity is more developed, so you may not notice a cavity until it’s too late.
Here are the most common signs of a cavity:
- Moderate pain when you eat or drink
- Visible openings in your teeth
- Discoloration of the surface of a tooth (black, brown or white)
If you have any of these symptoms, contact your dentist right away. They will most likely have to fill the cavity.
A cavity filling is when the dental practitioner fills the cavity in your tooth with some type of substance to seal it completely. The purpose is to get rid of your symptoms and make the tooth more aesthetically pleasing.
Dental Fillings – Why are they Needed?
The bacteria in the teeth secretes a very strong acid when they eat the micro food particles stuck on your teeth. Resulting in the development of plaque that needs to be brushed and flossed regularly. Otherwise, plaque build-up defoliates the tooth enamel and can result in a small hole or cavity.
If cavities are not treated in an appropriate and timely manner, uncontrolled decay can spread to the root of the tooth. Then a root canal treatment is needed.Hence, it is best to go to your dental practitioner promptly if you feel you have tooth pain.
Types of Cavity Fillings
The fillings for your cavity can be of different types:
- Amalgam Fillings
Amalgam is one of the oldest used and most-researched materials for cavity fillings. It’s made of many metallic elements.
- Composite Fillings
Composite fillings are the units formed of a mixture of plastic-type material, and can be customized to be the same color as your teeth for aesthetics. These are best suited for smaller or mid-sized cavities in teeth that do a good amount of chewing.
- Metal Fillings
Metal fillings are usually made up of gold or silver, gold costing is about 10 times more than silver. The advantage of gold fillings is that some folks like the look of them better. Also, gold and silver amalgam fillings can last between 10 and 15 years.
- Ceramic Fillings
Ceramic fillings are units manufactured of ceramic and have identical colour as your natural teeth. However, many people pass up these types of c fillings because they can cost about as much as gold fillings.
- Glass ionomer
Glass ionomer is a type of aesthetic filling and they release fluoride to help protect the teeth.
How Long Does it Take to Fill a Cavity?
Over time, you’ll notice tooth sensitivity or a cavity. Once you understand that you have a cavity, you’ll wonder, “how long does it take to fill a large cavity?” Thankfully, this procedure is relatively quick and easy to complete.
A dental cavity filling takes about an hour or less, thanks to the upgraded equipment of the digital era. If you need a lot of fillings, then the dentist may treat them through multiple visits. After you get the filling, your tooth may feel sore or sensitive for several hours or days. When the tooth heals entirely, this sensitivity goes away.
Some fillings need additional time to set after you leave the dental clinic. Your dentist will let you know how to care for your fillings after your treatment. If your fillings need more time to set fully, you may need to avoid hard and sticky foods for a while.
How does the Procedure work?
Other than discovering the solution to, “ How Long Does it Take to Fill a Cavity with the filling?”, you may also want to know how the procedure works. Typically, cavities are relatively easy to treat.
The dentist uses a dental laser or drill to remove tooth decay. Then, they prepare the space for the filling. They prepare the area and select the filling material. Some fillings also require a special light to harden the material.
When the substance is prepared, the dentist will polish the dental filling. They will remove any sharp edges that could hurt your cheeks or tongue.
Aesthetica is the starting point for healthy smiles. The best dental clinic in Kolkata is lead by Dr. Kamlesh Kothari and a team of highly experienced and specialist dentists, our goal is to provide holistic dental health and elegant smiles to our patients by combining scientific knowledge & expertise. With convenient locations in Kolkata, Howrah, and Shillong. We ensure the highest standards of hygiene with our sterilization procedures being monitored by the University of Louisville, Kentucky, USA.
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