Are you going to get a filling for your tooth? (Dental Fillings) - Know these things before you go.

Have you ever looked in the mirror and noticed a small black spot on your tooth? Or did you suddenly feel a tingling sensation or a jolt when you ate ice cream or drank cold water? These can often be the first signs of tooth decay. So when you go to see a dentist, that is, a dentist, the first thing he or she will say is, "Don't worry, we'll fill it in." So what is a dental filling? Let's talk about it in simple terms today.

Simply put, what is a dental filling?

Imagine that there's a small hole in the wall of your house. What do we do? We don't just leave it like that. We fill the hole with some cement and paint it again, making it look nice. Filling a tooth is like that.

Simply put, a dental filling is a treatment that uses a special material to fill a hole in a tooth caused by decay (cavities) or a small piece of a tooth that has broken off, restoring the tooth's original shape and function. Doctors sometimes call this ``Dental Restorations.'' It means restoring a tooth to its original condition. This stops further decay and protects the tooth from further damage.

What types of dental fillings are there?

There are several types of dental fillings. But all of them can be divided into two main categories. These are `Direct` and `Indirect` fillings. Let's see what the difference is between the two.

1. Direct Fillings

This is the most famous and most commonly performed type among us. What happens here is that the doctor makes the filling material right inside your mouth, places it in the gap in the tooth, and finishes the treatment right away. This may take a day for the doctors to meet.

The most commonly used types of `Direct Filling` are:

• Amalgam: This is what we commonly call "silver fillings." This is a strong filling made by mixing metals such as silver, tin, zinc, and copper with mercury. These are often used on the back teeth, which are not very visible.
• Resin Composite: This is the "tooth-colored filling." These are made from a resin-based material mixed with powders of quartz and silica. These are best for front teeth, where a beautiful appearance is desired.
• Glass Ionomer: This is also a tooth-colored filling. It is made from silica glass powder. Sometimes this type releases a mineral called `Fluoride` into the tooth, which helps prevent further tooth decay.

2. Indirect Fillings

In this type, the doctor takes measurements of your tooth and sends them to a dental lab. That's where the filling is made to fit your tooth exactly. Then you have to go back one day and have it fixed. That usually means you have to go twice. But with modern technology like `CAD/CAM`, it can sometimes be done in one day.

These are used in cases where there is a gap that is too large to be filled with a regular filling, but the tooth is not damaged enough to require a complete crown. It's like putting together a missing piece in a puzzle.

The most commonly used types of `Indirect Filling` are:

• Gold: These are a very strong and durable type of filling made by mixing gold with other metals.
• Porcelain: These are a type of filling that is made from a ceramic-like material and has a beautiful appearance that matches the color of your teeth.

Now that you have a rough idea of ​​these types, let's try to explain this a little more.

What actually happens when a tooth is filled?

Some people get a little scared when they hear the word "filling a tooth." But it's actually not as scary as you might think. Let's take a step-by-step look at what happens.

1. Numbness: First, the doctor will inject a local anesthetic (`local anesthesia`) to numb your tooth and the surrounding gums. This will ensure that you do not feel any pain during the treatment.

2. Removing decayed parts: Next, special instruments are used to completely clean and remove the decayed or damaged parts of the tooth.

3. Filling the gap: Now, the selected filling material is added to the cleaned gap and filled well.

4. Strengthening: If you place a tooth-colored filling like `Resin Composite`, it is hardened (hardened) in a few seconds by exposing it to a blue light (`Curing Light`).

5. Shaping and polishing: Finally, it is shaped to fit your tooth, polished well, and the surface is smoothed.

6. Bite Check: You will be asked to close your mouth and place your teeth together. This will check whether the filling feels too high or if you can chew food normally. If there is any difficulty, the doctor will correct it.

If you are a little afraid of the dentist's chair, talk to your doctor about it. Sometimes, special treatments (`Sedation Dentistry`) can be used to keep you calm.

Problems that may arise after a tooth filling

After a tooth is filled, it is normal to have some pain in the surrounding gums and slight numbness (sensitivity) in the tooth for a few days. This will subside in about a week or two.

However, sometimes more serious problems can arise. They are rare, but it's good to be aware of them.

• A throbbing pain coming from inside the tooth: If you experience this type of pain, it could mean that the decay has reached the pulp of the tooth. If that happens, you may need to undergo root canal therapy.
• Pain when chewing: If you only experience pain when chewing food, it's likely because your filling is a little too high. This is a very simple thing, and your doctor can lower it a little and reposition it.
• Severe pain from cold or hot objects: If you experience severe pain when something cold or hot hits your tooth and it continues to hurt even after you remove it, it could be a sign that the nerve inside the tooth has been damaged. In such cases, a root canal or tooth extraction may be necessary.

Are silver fillings (amalgam) really safe?

This is a question that many people ask. Because amalgam fillings contain mercury. Major health organizations in the world, such as the American Dental Association (ADA) and the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), say that amalgam fillings are safe .

However, the FDA has recently advised caution when using these for certain groups of people, who they say may be at higher risk of experiencing adverse effects from mercury vapor.

Groups of people advised to avoid amalgam fillings:

• Pregnant mothers and their unborn children.
• Women who are planning to become pregnant soon.
• Nursing mothers and their babies.
• Children under 6 years old.
• People with neurological conditions such as Alzheimer's, multiple sclerosis, or Parkinson's.
• People with poor kidney function.
• People who are allergic to mercury or other metals contained in amalgam.

If something like this happens, call the doctor immediately!

If any of the following happen to you, call your dentist without delay.

• If your film breaks or comes off completely .
• If you have severe pain that does not subside even after taking painkillers.
• If the face or jaw swells .
• If you develop symptoms of infection, such as fever, chills, and shivering .

Does it hurt when a tooth is filled?

No. Before the treatment begins, the tooth and the surrounding area will be numbed, so you will not feel any pain. If you feel any discomfort, tell your doctor right away. He or she can then give you more numbing medication.

When is it too late to fill a tooth?

If the cavity is too large and the decay has spread to the soft tissue and nerve tissue of the tooth (the `pulp`), it cannot be repaired with a regular filling. That is when `Root Canal` treatment becomes necessary.

None of us like to go to the dentist. But when it comes to tooth decay, it's best to get treatment as soon as possible. A filling not only preserves your natural tooth, but can also help prevent major treatment and costly repairs in the future.