A filling is a dental implant used to fill the cavity of a tooth after the dentist has removed the decayed part of the tooth. When you go to a dentist for a check-up, he may recommend a filling if he finds a cavity in a tooth. You can also go to the doctor on your own if you find a bad tooth in your mouth. He will follow a few basic steps to complete the filling; However, take a look at the following instructions if you cannot get a prompt visit to a dentist.
Steps
Part 1 of 2: Personal Initiatives
Step 1. Take a pain reliever to deal with the pain
Pain is sometimes related to tooth decay. It occurs due to the depth of the caries itself. To cope with the pain, the patient can take over-the-counter pain relievers. You have to take the right amount, without ever exceeding.
Step 2. Apply dental enamel to the pointed edges
The edges of caries are not always smooth; they can be jagged, irregular and pointed. Edges like that can cause damage to the mucous membranes. Enamel can be a simple temporary solution to the problem:
- Gently run your tongue along your teeth and check where the pointed areas are.
- Take a small amount of tooth enamel and run it along the sharp edges of your teeth.
- Swipe the tongue over the area again to check for other irregular spots; if any are left, apply the nail polish. Repeat if necessary. Enamel is a temporary solution; it will fall over time. However, it is a simple way to avoid tissue damage while waiting for your dentist appointment.
Step 3. Apply a temporary dental filling
There are circumstances in which a patient cannot see their dentist for a permanent filling. In these cases, the patient will feel disturbed and uncomfortable due to tooth decay. To cope with the problem, you can use temporary filling material, which is available in many pharmacies. It is applied in a few simple steps:
- Clean the tooth. Remove any food from the area.
- Blot the tooth with a cotton swab.
- The kit will be supplied with an applicator; use it to take some filling material and apply it to tooth decay.
- Bite gently to check the height of the filling.
- Clean off the excess material around the tooth.
- Let the temporary filling dry. Do not eat, drink or bite the area for the next 30 minutes to allow the filling to dry completely.
Step 4. Consult with your dentist
The previous three steps are temporary methods of managing tooth decay while you wait for a permanent filling from your dentist. A visit and consultation are also necessary if you are not in pain, if you have no sharp edges or if you have applied the temporary filling. The dentist will replace the short-term temporary solution with a permanent filling. A visit to the dentist will also avoid further problems or injuries.
Part 2 of 2: Dental Procedure
When you get to the dentist, he will go through a transparent procedure to make sure the permanent filling works. This procedure will include the following steps:
Step 1. Localization of the caries area
The dentist will check for bad teeth. If there is more than one carious tooth on the same side, you can treat them all in one sitting, with your consent. You will be informed about the number of cavities and the stage of the caries. Based on the extent of the caries, the dentist will choose a specific filling material to improve your oral health.
If the number of caries is unclear, the dentist might use an x-ray or dye to detect caries and to calculate the exact number of decayed teeth. Both methods are painless and harmless. Laser could also be used, because a decayed tooth reflects light to a different degree than the enamel of a healthy tooth; again, the test is completely painless and harmless
Step 2. Desensitization of the tooth
An anesthetic gel will be applied to the area where you will receive the local anesthetic injection. The gel will reduce the discomfort caused by the injection needle. The anesthetic desensitizes the tooth and the surrounding area so that you don't feel pain while the filling is done.
Step 3. Cover the rest of the area
As the anesthetic begins to take effect on the tooth, the rest of the mouth is covered with latex insulation. The insulator is a rubber sheet fixed to a metal structure and placed in the mouth. A small hole will be made in the sheet and it will be lowered on the tooth to be filled. The intent of the insulator is to prevent filling material or tooth components from ending up in the throat or mouth. In addition, the insulation helps the dentist to focus on the tooth to be filled.
Step 4. Drill removal of previous restorations
With a high-speed diamond-tipped dental knob, the dentist will remove all dentures previously installed on the tooth. The tooth cavity will need to be cleaned and only the healthy tooth structure will need to remain in place.
Step 5. Tooth preparation
Once the tooth has been cleaned and the healthy part left, the dentist will add storage structures if necessary. Such structures will help preserve the filling mechanically. Among these you can find:
- Converging walls. Convergence serves to prevent the obturation from moving vertically.
- Boxes. Usually used on the side next to the tooth, they prevent the filling from moving sideways.
- Grooves. They help ensure a path for installing and removing the filling; in this way, the filling will not move easily. They are usually installed along the side of the treated tooth.
- Pins. They are simple preparations installed on the tooth surface. They help in the preservation of the filling.
- Cracks. They are long and slender structures, installed when there are not enough walls to contain the prosthesis.
- Before filling the tooth, the dentist will make sure that the preparation is smooth and there are no irregular points and pointed surfaces. It will also check that there are no unsupported dental structures.
- Tooth filling. After dental preparation and material selection, the patient is ready for permanent filling with the chosen material. Remember that each material must be handled according to precise instructions.
Step 6. Amalgamate
It is one of the oldest filling materials and is still a favorite due to its superior physical properties. There are specific guidelines regarding the shape of the cavity that a dentist can fill with amalgam. For the filling to remain perfectly inside, the tooth will need to be cut into a special square shape, which may involve removing other dental material in addition to the part infected with caries.
Step 7. Composite resin
It is a colored filling material, which is gaining popularity due to its aesthetic virtue. The material is applied layer by layer. Each layer is exposed to a light that solidifies it. For a composite filling, the dentist does not have to shape the cavity into a particular shape.
- After complete removal of the tooth, the cavity is clean and the composite resin can be applied. Resins are the ideal type of material for anterior teeth, while stronger blends with greater strength are available for posterior teeth.
- Gold or porcelain fillings. Gold and porcelain are highly resistant materials. Gold is very expensive and this is probably the only negative feature of a filling made with this metal. After modeling the cavity, the dentist must take an impression of the tooth and send it to the laboratory. The gold or porcelain inlay (an indirect prosthesis that does not exceed half the size of the tooth in size) or the surface layer (a larger indirect prosthesis in the inlay, which covers the edge of the tooth) are made to measure and shipped. They will then be installed on the tooth with the help of dental cement.
- Glass ionomers. These fillings are available in different blends and textures; they can be thin or thick according to use. When used as a tooth fill, a thick enough consistency is recommended to ensure durability.
Step 8. Checking the bite and anatomy
Before discharging the patient, the dentist will check the bite and the anatomy, to verify that the condition is perfect. This will help return the tooth to its natural functions.
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To check the bite, the dentist can:
- Have the patient bite into an information sheet. This is a piece of colored paper used to make a note of areas that take a major bite.
- Ask the patient if they feel pain or discomfort. Since the teeth are highly innervated, the patient can easily sense if there is a change in tooth height.
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To check the anatomy:
- The dentist may pass a hand tool around the tooth to check for any protrusions or irregularities. If they are found, they must be corrected with tools.
- Visually inspect the inclinations of the tooth (the grooves and other physical features). It must be identical to a natural tooth. These attributes function as a natural drainage channel for food when chewing, ensuring that movement remains completely natural.
Give Someone a Filling Step 13 Step 9. Care and assistance
Your dentist will ask you to avoid eating for about an hour. If you are thirsty, you can drink plain water after 30 minutes. Colored drinks may stain the filling if it is naturally colored, so wait about an hour before drinking colored liquids, making sure the filling is fully set. Similarly, the strength of the filling can be compromised if it is disturbed before it is fully fixed. To make sure the filling is kept in good condition:
- Brush your teeth regularly using fluoride toothpaste.
- Check your sugar intake.
- Be careful when eating hard foods.
- Keep your mouth healthy.
