Understanding The Process For Getting Dental Fillings
If you think you may have a cavity, it's important for you to get in to see a dentist, like the ones at Pacific Ave Dental/Allan L. Hablutzel, DDS, right away. As long as the cavity isn't too far advanced, it may be able to be corrected with a simple filling. Putting off treatment will cause the cavity to get worse, and if left untreated, the cavity may get so bad it requires a more intensive treatment, such as having the tooth pulled and replaced with an implant. If you have the cavity treated while it can still be treated with a filling, you'll want to know what to expect when you are getting the procedure done.
How long will it take to get a filling?
The good news is it won't take very long for the dentist to give you a filling. In fact, it would be a safe bet to assume you are only going to be at the dentist's office for about an hour. This amount of time should include the process of getting X-rays, the consultation where everything will be explained to you and the process of giving you a filling.
What is involved in the filling process?
Once your dentist goes over the X-rays, they will let you know which teeth need fillings. Then, the decayed portion of your tooth will be removed with a dental drill to prepare it for the filling. You will be given a local anesthesia to keep you comfortable during the process.
There are a variety of materials the dentist can use for the filling and some of these include silver alloy, gold and even porcelain. They will go over the material they suggest with you so you will understand why it's the best choice for your situation. Once the tooth is prepares, the dentist will fill the hole with the filing material.
How will you feel once the filing is done?
Your mouth will remain numb for at least a few hours after you leave the dentist's office. Once you get full feeling back, you can eat. While you can eat a mostly normal diet, you may have some sensitivity to hot and cold foods for a day or so. You will take care of your filling by simply caring for your teeth the way you normally should. Regular brushing, flossing and rinsing with mouthwash are important for your teeth and fillings.