Dental fillings are essential to play a pivotal role in addressing various dental issues, from cavities to tooth decay, restoring both functionality and aesthetics to your smile. But the most crucial thing to determine is how you know when it’s the time to consider getting a dental filling. If you have the same doubts, you are in the right place to seek answers.
Based on the insights taken from Dr. Ravneet Kaur at Aspen Dental, the best dental clinic in Gurgaon, this blog will walk you through the key indicators that suggest when you might need a filling, the different types of fillings available, and what to expect during the procedure. So, if you’ve ever wondered about the significance of dental fillings and when they’re recommended, sit back, relax, and let’s embark on this journey to reveal the mysteries behind maintaining a healthy and radiant smile.
What Is Dental Filling?
A dental filling, or tooth filling, is a dental restoration that typically involves removing decay and repairing the affected tooth. If the damage is extreme, you may need a root canal followed by a more extensive filling or crown placement. In short, regular dental exams are crucial for the early detection and treatment of decay and for preventing the need for more invasive procedures. Dental fillings may preserve the tooth’s natural structure and maintain oral health by addressing decay promptly at the right time.
So, if you are still wondering whether you need a dental filling, here are some signs that may inform you when you need it.
Signs You Need A Dental Filling
- Toothache
A toothache may be the most common sign of needing a tooth filling. However, sensitivity to specific temperatures, too-sweet foods, and pressure can also indicate that you need a filling. Moreover, if you are going through sudden or throbbing pain during biting or chewing, you may also be advised to opt for dental fillings.
- Visible Signs
There can also be some visible signs that may call for a dental filling, such as dark spots, a hole you can see or feel in your teeth, rough, chipped, or broken teeth, broken or lost fillings for teeth, food that always gets stuck between certain teeth, and when your floss tears in a specific spot.
- Fractured Teeth
Cavities can be your number-one reason for dental fillings. Also, your fractured teeth can be repaired with the help of a white composite filling material. In both cases, these cavity fillings can prevent the progression of tooth decay by sealing the affected area and putting a stop to bacterial infiltration.
- Tooth Crazing
In some cases, you may notice crazed lines on your teeth. These vertical lines are those cracks in your teeth caused by stress placed on a tooth. This can also be due to a long lifetime of chewing, clenching, grinding teeth, or biting fingernails. These surface cracks can darken your teeth over time. But the good news is that dentists can use tooth-colored filling material to cover craze lines and restore how your teeth appear.
- Tooth Wear
It is a fact that, as we age, our teeth wear down. When wear occurs, the flat, biting edges darken and make your teeth look unsightly. Wearing down and damage to teeth can also result from bruxism or teeth grinding. In some cases, tooth wear causes chipping and further damage to teeth.
But opting for dental fillings can also improve your bite and ability to chew. After getting the dental fillings done, a night guard can be used at night to prevent further damage.
These signs are enough to alert you, so consult an orthodontist to plan your dental filling treatment. So, if you prepare for the same, let’s try to understand the procedure.
How Long Does A Filling Take?
Small fillings may take 20 to 30 minutes, but deeper, multiple cavities can take longer. The procedure includes:
- Your dentist will dry the area and then administer a numbing gel.
- After numbing your gum, your dentist will inject a local anesthetic like lidocaine, typically causing only a brief pinch or sting to numb the tooth, gum, and jaw area.
- Next, your dentist will use a drill to remove the decay.
- After removing the decay, the hole is sterilized and filled. Also, a protective liner may be applied first to safeguard the nerve from deep fillings near the pulp.
- After filling in, your doctor will check your bite to ensure it is even and then polish your teeth.
What Does Tooth Filling Cost In Gurgaon?
The tooth filling cost in Gurgaon varies from person to person depending on factors such as your oral health condition, the filling used, and the doctor’s experience.
Final Words
Undergoing a dental filling can be stressful, but it doesn’t always cause pain. Small fillings may only take 20–30 minutes, but deeper cavities can take longer. If you are also planning to undergo dental fillings, you can consult Dr. Ravneet Kaur at Aspen Dental Clinic to improve your oral health more than ever.