Dental filling
The dental filling is perhaps the most common and simple resource used in the treatment of cavities; and can be applied to people of any age.
What are dental fillings?
Basically, a dental filling is the procedure used in dentistry to treat cavities that are in their initial phase.
It consists of filling the cavities of a dental piece affected by caries, once the dentist has done the cleaning to eliminate the disease. This restores its functionality to the tooth and prevents the decay from advancing further.
How is the dental filling treatment?
Before applying any oral treatment, the specialist makes a preliminary evaluation and performs panoramic radiological tests. Once the caries is detected, the procedure begins, following the steps below:
Placement of local anesthesia. It is placed by the specialist to prevent the patient from feeling pain during the procedure.
Isolation: It consists of separating the dental piece from contact with saliva. The area must remain dry before and during handling.
Cleaning of caries: Using specialized instruments, the dentist removes the tissue from the tooth affected by decay.
Paste application: After cleaning, the specialist must close the hole and rebuild the area using composite.
Polished: As the filling hardens, the tooth is shaped to give a better finish. In this phase, the patient is also asked to take several bites, to ensure that the reconstruction is comfortable and does not affect its functionality in any way.
When is a dental filling necessary?
When there is dental wear
To treat dental sensitivity
To make cosmetic corrections
To repair dental fractures
Cost of dental filling treatment
Learn about our financing plans that adapt to your needs.
Types of dental filling
In addition to knowing what dental fillings are, it should be taken into account that there are different types, depending on the materials used:
Porcelain
First of all, it is a material with which inlays are made. The inlays type are smaller and are used on the cusps of the teeth; while onlays are larger and are used to cover the outer surface of the tooth.
In any case, porcelain dental fillings are resistant and aesthetic.
composite or resin
Then there are the fillings with this material, which is the most used in dental offices by specialists.
It is a material with characteristics similar to natural dental pieces; hence the predilection in its use, despite being less durable than metal fillings.
Metallic or amalgam
Although no longer used, it was once the most popular material among dentists.
However, due to their metallic color, silver amalgams did not give a good aesthetic appearance; and although they had great durability (up to 30 years), their chemical composition revealed over time that they were responsible for a large number of toxic reactions for people.
Benefits of dental filling
In the same way that we are interested in knowing how long a filling lasts, it is convenient to know what are the benefits that the patient obtains with them:
Helps eliminate bad breath
By eliminating the infection caused by cavities, the number of bacteria that cause bad breath is also largely controlled.
Replenishes the tissue of the treated dental piece, restoring its functionality
Removing a cavity and keeping the hole in the tooth is leaving the door open for the disease to reappear with other types of consequences.
Other benefits
- Eliminates discomfort and pain from different types of conditions.
- Helps get rid of cavities-demanding pathogenic organisms.
- It allows to cleanse the mouth.
Before and after dental filling
Cost of dental filling treatment
Learn about our financing plans that adapt to your needs.