Dental Filling
What is Filling Treatment?
Dental filling is a basic dental restoration procedure. Over time, teeth can decay due to factors such as food particles and poor oral hygiene. A decayed tooth eventually loses its ability to function properly and can cause pain. To prevent further decay and complete tooth loss, a filling treatment is performed. The decayed tissue is removed by a dentist, eliminating the risk of tooth loss. After cleaning the decayed area, the dentist uses suitable materials to fill the cavity and completes the filling treatment. Nowadays, composite fillings are commonly used, but we can still mention three main types of fillings:
- Amalgam (Metal) Fillings
- Composite Fillings
- White and Porcelain (Aesthetic) Fillings
In the comfortable and quick dental filling treatment, patients can immediately return to their daily lives and continue their activities on the same day.
Types of Dental Fillings
Although composite and aesthetic dental fillings are widely used today, we come across many types of fillings that have been used until now. According to the findings in the Lucca region of Italy, the oldest dental filling in history dates back a staggering 13,000 years. The world’s first dental filling, discovered at Riparo Fredian, was made of bitumen and small stone tools were used for the procedure. Over time, methods similar to today’s techniques were developed in order to alleviate toothache and keep chewed food away from the cavity, and they began to be used in more modern forms in civilizations such as Egypt, Mesopotamia, and the Mediterranean. With the Renaissance movement that emerged in Italy, significant advancements were made in science and technology worldwide, and contemporary practices replaced the old ones.
Until recently, the “amalgam filling” material, which was also used in our country, contained mercury, and it was banned by Sweden and Norway due to the belief that mercury vapor passes through the lungs and affects the brain, liver, kidneys, and digestive system. Although the American Dental Association (ADA) has published articles stating that mercury does not have an impact on human health caused by amalgam fillings, many European countries have stopped using amalgam fillings. Especially for aesthetic reasons and the fact that they are white in color, composite fillings have largely replaced amalgam fillings in our country as well.
Composite Filling
Composite filling, which is made of a mixture of acrylic resin and glass or quartz particles, is the most commonly used type of filling today. Due to its durability and the ability to match the color of the tooth, composite filling has become the most widely used material, replacing its older versions. Composite filling can be used for both repairing damages and discolorations in the tooth. It is used for the restoration of tooth decay and fractures, as well as for aesthetic purposes to improve the appearance of the tooth color.
Aesthetic Filling
Composite filling, which can be produced in the color of the tooth, is also used for aesthetic purposes due to its visual advantages. Although different techniques are used during aesthetic filling procedures, the same materials are still used. In addition to that, porcelain and different materials are used in inlay and onlay applications to enhance the functionality of aesthetic filling.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dental Filling
To better analyze the tooth and its surrounding area for the filling procedure, an X-ray is taken, and the treatment is initiated by the dentist. Firstly, the area where the filling will be placed is thoroughly cleaned, and the decayed/damaged tissues are completely removed. Once the tooth and its surrounding area are completely cleaned, it's time to fill the empty space. After selecting the material to be used by the dentist, the empty space is completely filled. A medical device is used to expedite the curing process of the filling material. To ensure that there is no discomfort after the procedure, the patient is asked to open and close their teeth and perform gentle biting movements. If any roughness or protrusion is detected during these movements, cutting and shaping techniques are used to give the filling its final form.
It is understood that fillings should be made against any pain felt in the teeth or fractures and caries seen.
If dental fillings are neglected, decay will continue to progress and advance into the tooth structure, posing a threat to the neighboring teeth as well. In such cases, when the decay reaches the roots, root canal treatment is necessary to treat the deep decay.
Tooth filling process takes an average of 1 hour.
Thanks to the local anesthetics used during the dental filling treatment, no pain is felt.
If the filling is high or the tooth decay is deep, pain may be felt.
After the dental filling treatment is completed, the patient can immediately return to his daily life. However, the full recovery period takes an average of 48 hours.
You can drink water 2 hours after the tooth filling is done.
You can brush your teeth 2 hours after the filling process.
Dental filling treatment can be applied to all patients with caries or fractures in their teeth.
Tooth filling treatment can be applied in all seasons without any difference.
In cases where there is inflammation in the gums; Tooth filling cannot be applied until the inflammation dries up. In addition, tooth filling cannot be performed without the approval of a doctor during pregnancy and lactation.
When the dental filling treatment is performed by the dentist by providing the necessary medical conditions, there is no risk.
The permanence of the tooth filling is on average 5 - 7 years.
Although the same materials are generally used for the filling made on the anterior teeth, it is necessary to use more aesthetically sensitive and advanced techniques due to its more visible position.
X-rays are taken before the tooth filling process and the procedures to be applied are determined by the dentist.
Filling can be performed on all teeth with damage to the dental tissue, decayed or broken.
Tooth filling procedures are completed in a single session.
There is no bleeding due to the dental filling process.
No pain is felt after the dental filling treatment is completed. Only a sensitivity of 48 hours can be felt.
After the tooth filling process is completed, no pain is felt except for a slight sensitivity. If any pain is felt due to the filling, the patient should contact the dentist.
You can eat 2 hours after the tooth filling is done.
After the tooth filling is done, it is necessary to take a 1-day break from the consumption of acidic beverages.
After the tooth filling is done, it is necessary not to break the hard and crusty foods with the filled tooth.
There is no harm in having a dental filling while pregnant. However, pregnant patients should get approval from their doctors before getting a filling.
You can do sports whenever you want after dental filling treatment.
In addition to getting rid of the patient's current and potential pain; The tooth is also saved. Since the progressive caries will reach the root and threaten the oral and dental health, The dental filling process provides an intraoral macro benefit. At the same time, an aesthetic appearance is gained with the correction of damage and discoloration in the tooth.
After a dental filling treatment applied with the right techniques, there is no bad breath.
If you do not have any discomfort after the dental filling process, you do not need to go to the control. However, 6-month routine controls should not be neglected.
If appropriate medical conditions are provided by the dentist in dental filling treatments, the success rate is very high.