Are you someone who is worried about how long does it take a cavity to fill? Don’t worry, as we’re here to guide you about the entire process and help you by showing you how you can quickly go back to smiling again!
What to expect of a filling, before and after the procedure. This article tells it all.
Cavity filling, also known as filling, is a common dental procedure. It is a repair job in which damage which is caused by tooth decay is fixed.
A filling is a simple process that usually takes an hour and is said to be a painless procedure. If you want to know that how long does it take to fill a cavity, then this article is definitely for you.
Keep on reading to know exactly how long does a cavity filling take.
What Can Be Expected Of a Filling Procedure?
Are you wondering that how long does a tooth filling take? The good news is that cavities in your teeth are pretty easy for dental professionals to fix by a typical filling.
Not only this, they use a local anesthetic to numb the area that they will be working on so that you have a painless experience of the procedure.
The anesthetic will get injected into your gum tissue, which might cause a stinging sensation, but this sensation is only temporary. Some cases don’t require anesthesia but if you have higher tooth sensitivity, then your doctor will administer the numbing substance.
Then, the dental professional will be using a laser or dental drill in order to remove decay from the tooth. You might feel mild pain in this step but it’s nothing that will cause intense pain. Next, the newly created space needs to get prepared for the filling. Dental treatments can look scary, but in reality, they’re not.
The dental professional will be shaping the area and may also etch the tooth with an acid gel. The next step in the filling is the actual application of the filling stuff. Some types of filling materials need to be hardened a bit. It is done using a special light, which the dental professional may shine on you during the process.
In the final step, the filling is polished. So how long do fillings take? The process is quite straightforward and takes about an hour to complete. If you have got multiple cavities that need filling, your dentist might decide to treat them over multiple visits.
After your filling is done, the doctor will advise you to eat cold foods and avoid warm foods. Also, avoid sugary foods and acidic foods as they may cause trouble with your filling. This is only for a couple of days and after the period specified by the dentist, you can eat to your heart’s content. If you feel tooth pain, contact your dentist.
Note that some dentists might use an amalgam filling which may include mercury contents, so always be sure you know what you are getting into.
How Long Does a Filling Appointment Last?
Although no one really enjoys having dental cavities, but having and then ignoring them will just make it worse for you. Cavities are something that just cannot heal on their own; thus, they need you to visit a dentist and get them filled. The dental team at the clinic will guide you further.
A filling process helps you in restoring the damage done by tooth decay and prevents further decay by eliminating areas where bacteria have the possibility to attack the tooth.
Dentists usually have a busy schedule so make sure you make an appointment before paying them a visit to save waiting time.
Most of the fillings can heal quickly on their own without showing up any problem. However, some of them need time to set. After the anesthetic used by your dental professional comes off, your tooth may feel a bit sensitive, but that’s alright; this sensitivity usually goes away in a day or so. Metal fillings, like gold and amalgam, sometimes have a period of post-operative cold sensitivity for a few days or even weeks.
Avoid eating sticky foods as they can dislodge your filling. Ask your dental professional how long you have to wait before you can eat hard or sticky foods. If your teeth are in really bad condition, then the dentist might perform a root canal instead of a filling. As root canals clean the roots of the teeth and then add fillings or replacement teeth.
Benefits Of Getting a Dental Filling For Cavities
Tooth decay creates holes or cavities in your teeth. The filling procedure is used to fill up those holes and decayed tissue created as a result of tooth decay. Here are the benefits of getting a dental filling for a cavity.
The filling isn’t that expensive unless you want are getting gold fillings. If you have dental insurance then it will cover your dental care. Just make sure your insurance includes dental insurance plans.
If you have a sensitive tooth, then it’s best to visit the dentist as soon as possible. A sensitive tooth can cause you pain if you leave the cavities as they are since a decayed tooth will affect your sensitive nerves badly.
Therefore, always have regular dental checkups so we don’t miss any cavities that are in the making.
It stops cavity growth
During a direct filling procedure, your dentist will be cleaning out the decayed part of your tooth. They will then be pouring in the filling material in the cavity or hole created. It helps seal the hole created by the cavity. This is done to protect the nerve endings in the mouth from the temperatures of the foods you intake and acids that are created by the bacteria in the mouth. Exposure to these nerves often leads to toothaches when someone has cavities.
Filling plays a part in strengthening the fractured teeth as well
This process can be used to repair a fractured tooth as well. A white composite is usually used for this. One of your teeth can become fractured because of some oral trauma from any sort of physical activity like an accident or sports. Teeth can also fracture when you chew on hard things like hard candies or ice.
A filling helps in improving the structure of your teeth
Composite fillings help in improving the structure of your tooth. Instead of the tooth, which gets hollowed out when there is a cavity, the filling will give it a support that is much needed. As we know that these filling procedures are temporary solutions to the cavity, so there is no damage done to your tooth during the process.
Improves teeth color
Composite fillings are used for teeth that have got discolored or badly stained. Your teeth can also become stained because of what you consume, like coffee or dark-colored candies, or chocolates. Bad habits like bruxism can also cause your teeth to lose the natural color they have.
Fillings help to protect your tooth from decay
Tiny holes can develop on your teeth that are not big enough to be considered cavities, but these small holes tend to trap debris and food particles. Over time, these small holes will end up in tooth decay. Fortunately, we can seal them using a composite filling.
How To Prevent Cavity
A research revealed that one in four adults had got cavities in their teeth. It is also said that half of the teenagers in the US only have had dental cavities. Oral health is something that is often taken for granted, but it is an essential part of our lives. We must follow proper care instructions for care of teeth. This is to ensure that our teeth are healthy and we should also care for cleanings of our teeth.
A dental filling process can make your teeth better. If you have larger cavities, then your doctor might do multiple sessions of fillings. You always want to make sure that you don’t lose your natural tooth as getting a replacement can be costly. Therefore, always visit the dentist if you have loose teeth to get them checked whether they have cavities or not.
Remember one thing that it is never too late to take control of your oral health, and prevent dental problems as much as you can.
If you’ve had fillings in the past and now you have a broken filling, you can always get another by seeing the dentist.
For your guidance, we have mentioned some of the preventive measures which you can make in order to stay protected from dental cavities.
Have regular check ups and discussions with your dentist
It will help you know where you stand, which treatments you need the most. Knowing your risk level helps you take an even more effective approach to improve your oral health.
Brush your teeth on a regular basis
All of you have heard it since you were too small to ride the big rides. Yes, it is important for your oral health as brushing teeth regularly and properly helps to prevent tooth decaying bacteria.
Avoid acidic and sugary drinks
Prolonged exposure to teeth of acidic coffees or teas increases your risk of new cavities. So, try to avoid these sources of sugary drinks as much as you can.
Develop a habit of flossing
We know no one likes to floss. But, believe us when we say that, though, it is hard to get into the habit of flossing, but it is all worth it. This is important as our teeth have 5 sides, and all 5 of these need to be cleaned in order to maintain our oral health.
Are Dental Fillings Necessary If I Have A Cavity?
This question always pops up that is a dental filling always necessary in order to treat a cavity? The shortest answer to this question is no. Dental fillings are used in order to treat cavities because a dental professional tends to want to remove the decayed part of your teeth (which is also called the cavity) and fill it to prevent future decay and cavities.
What Does A Cavity Mean?
Black stains caused by decays on the surface of teeth are called cavities. They develop as tiny openings or holes. These cavities are also known as tooth decays or carries. These cavities are caused by a number of different factors, including bacteria in your oral cavity, frequent snacking, consuming sugary and ancient drinks, and not cleaning your teeth properly, that too on a regular basis.
Being especially common in teenagers, children, and adults, tooth decays and dental cavities are among the world’s most common health problems. If left untreated, these cavities can end up getting worse, which can lead to an infection, severe toothache. It can even cause tooth loss as well.
Conclusion – How Long Does It Take To Fill A Cavity
Cavities are damaged areas in our teeth that all eat as cavities. This is one of the common oral health problems. Dental professionals recommend fillings for their treatment. How long does a cavity filling take? Make sure you follow proper care tips and cavity care to make sure you don’t get cavities in the first place.
If you do see black surface on some of your teeth, then this is a cavity. Seek dental care advice and they will clean the cavity first, and then add the filling to your teeth to make it appear as natural as possible. Expert care is needed in case of cavities to make sure the decayed tooth doesn’t affect our other teeth.
Although fillings pretty much fix the cavities issue, prevention is always better than cure. We have mentioned some really effective preventive measures which can be helpful in preventing from health problems like teeth decay, infections, cavities, or severe toothache. Some celebrities also get gold fillings.
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