Having a cavity is something that nobody enjoys because it may be painful or cause problems when trying to eat or go about the day. While cavities are directly related to poor oral hygiene, it is important to remember that dentists can almost always repair cavities. However, that isn’t to say that one should neglect cleaning their teeth.
Dental cavities are typically treated by a dentist using a method called, a dental filling. A filling does exactly what it sounds like - fills the cavity. Knowing how a dentist does this may help ease a patient’s fears of having the simple procedure done.
Today, we will address how a dentist fills a cavity. Patients have no need to fear during this procedure because it is simple and the dentist is only doing it to get the teeth in better shape.
Because the filling of a cavity does require a dental drill, a dentist will typically advise that a patient has a numbing agent applied to the tooth and the surrounding area. The numbing agent will numb the tooth, the gums and even part of the jaw to ensure that the patient does not feel any pain during the procedure.
While this is the part that scares most people, dental drilling is absolutely necessary to do in order to have a cavity properly filled. Once the numbing agent kicks in and the patient is unable to feel anything, the dentist will drill out the decayed parts of the tooth - otherwise known as the cavity. The drill will ensure that no damage is left on the tooth and that it is all removed efficiently so that the filling can be placed.
Because a drill may not provide the smoothest surface, the dentist will then ensure that the surface of the tooth and the edges are smooth so that there aren’t any discomforts after the procedure. Shaping to the tooth may also cause discomfort so doing this while the patient is still numb is necessary.
Once the tooth is ready for the filling, a dentist will use a material of their recommendation or the patient’s liking to fill the empty space where the decay was removed from. Amalgam or composite resin is typically used to fill the cavity as these are the safest and most durable materials.
Knowing how a cavity is filled can help a person warm up to the idea of having it done. Dental fillings are absolutely necessary in a lot of situations so being sure to talk with the dentist about the procedure is important and can provide benefits later on down the line. The procedure is quick and simple, and the numbing agents ensure that pain isn’t felt.
If you have more questions about dental fillings and how they work then reach out to our office today. We are happy to help in any way that we can, give us a call today!
Request an appointment here: https://familychoicedentistry.com or call Family Choice Dental at (505) 634-5657 for an appointment in our Albuquerque office.
Check out what others are saying about our services on Yelp: Read our Yelp reviews.
Children are often more susceptible to chipped teeth than adults due to their more active lifestyle and all too often their reckless behavior. From playground accidents to a blow to the face during a sporting event, it is helpful for parents to understand what their options are if (and when) their child chips a tooth,…
If you are reading up on dental laminates, you are probably thinking about improving the look of your smile. Keep reading to learn about the different uses of dental laminates and see if this type of dental restoration is a good fit for you.Veneers and dental laminates are both non-invasive ways of hiding minor imperfections…
Most people believe that a reconstructive dentist is solely concerned with improving and replacing all of the teeth. Dental professionals believe that reconstructive dentistry plays an important role in repairing and improving each patient's healthy and natural teeth. If you are supposed to undergo a reconstructive procedure, you might have questions. You may, for example,…
Sometimes, you need a specialty field like endodontics to resolve your oral health issues. Your dentist helps you maintain good oral health through regular exams. But issues that specifically affect the pulp of the tooth are part of the specialty of endodontics. Your dentist may find that you need additional treatment or an endodontic procedure.…
Children are often more susceptible to chipped teeth than adults due to their more active lifestyle and all too often their reckless behavior. From playground accidents to a blow to the face during a sporting event, it is helpful for parents to understand what their options are if (and when) their child chips a tooth,…
If you are reading up on dental laminates, you are probably thinking about improving the look of your smile. Keep reading to learn about the different uses of dental laminates and see if this type of dental restoration is a good fit for you.Veneers and dental laminates are both non-invasive ways of hiding minor imperfections…