Tooth Decay Treatment

by Laleh Rahmani Dental office

To treat tooth decay, the dentist removes the decayed parts of your tooth and then fills the created hole with unique filling materials to maintain the strength and function of the tooth. Dental fillings are also used to repair cracks and fractures. Also, filling materials are used to improve teeth that have been worn down a lot, for example, in severe grinding cases. Of course, if there is a lot of tooth damage, dental veneers are used.

filling teeth
What materials are used to fill teeth?

Today, various materials are used to fill teeth. Teeth can be filled with gold, ceramic (porcelain), amalgam (silver colour), tooth-coloured plastic, or composite resin. Some materials contain glass particles known as glass ionomers and work similarly to composite resin.

What are the stages of tooth filling?
Tooth filling steps
1- First, the dentist uses local anesthesia so that you do not feel pain during the treatment. With a dental drill, air cutting devices or laser, the decayed parts of the tooth are shaved. The choice of the type of instrument depends on the dentist as well as the comfort of the patient.

2- Then, the dentist determines whether all the decayed parts have been removed or not with a measuring rod called a probe. After all tooth decay is removed, the tooth is cleaned to remove any bacteria and foreign particles and is ready for filling.

3- If the decay is close to the tooth’s root, a layer of glass ionomer or composite resin may be applied to the tooth’s root to protect it more because it is located inside the nerve root and is very vulnerable.

4- Tooth filling materials are placed in the tooth cavity.

5- Finally, the dentist polishes the tooth.

There are a few more steps for tooth-coloured fillings because the way the material is placed on the tooth is different. Composite resin is placed layer by layer inside the tooth. A special light hardens each layer, and then the next layer is placed on top of it, and so on until the tooth is filled. Then the material is shaped, the excess material is removed, and the tooth is polished.

Which type of tooth filling is best for me?
The location and extent of tooth decay, the cost of treatment and your budget, and your dentist’s recommendations determine the best type of tooth filling for you.

How do we know that our teeth should be filled?
Usually, a toothache is the most common symptom of needing a tooth filling. Still, if you want to get it before the tooth is damaged to such an extent, it is better to pay attention to other symptoms such as tooth sensitivity to cold or heat or pressure. You may need a filling if you experience sharp or sudden pain when chewing. Of course, if you ignore the pain and sensitivity of your tooth, the possibility of damage and decay of the tooth roots increases, and denervation should also be done before filling. In this regard, you can trust SilverHill Dental Clinic in Etobicoke.

Warning signs of the need for dental fillings

Creating dark spots in the teeth
Creating a hole in the tooth that you can see with your eyes or feel with your tongue.
Food getting stuck between some teeth happens constantly.
Some parts of the mouth hurt a lot when flossing.
Fracture, lip filling or roughness and sharpness of some tooth surfaces.
Loosening or breaking or reaching the end of the life of the old filling.

How to take care of a filled tooth?

To increase the durability of tooth restoration, the most important thing you should observe is to maintain oral hygiene correctly. Also, you should visit the dentist in Newmarket at least once a year for an examination, check-up, and, if necessary, cleaning and scaling.

Always use fluoride toothpaste and brush your teeth twice a day. You should floss your teeth every day. You can clean your mouth with mouthwash once a day to reduce the possibility of tooth decay.

If the dentist suspects hidden decay in your tooth, he will take a photo of the tooth to determine the condition of the complete tooth. If the dentist advises you to fill the tooth, be sure to do it on time.

If your tooth is very sensitive, you feel the edges are sharp, or the filling is cracked, visit the dentist as soon as possible.

In which case should we change the tooth filling?
There are many reasons for replacing dental fillings. In most cases, it is caused by daily wear and tear and the passage of time.

The dental filling is constantly under pressure when you chew food with your teeth. Over time, these pressures cause cracks in the filling or its separation from the tooth (and the penetration of bacteria into the tooth) or its loosening.

However, if the filling can no longer protect your damaged tooth, you should replace it sooner. Because this position is an excellent opportunity for bacteria to penetrate the tooth parts that the toothbrush cannot reach. As a result, they multiply there quickly and feed on food particles that have entered this area. This condition causes tooth decay.

It is customary to change colour after a while if you have a composite filling. Therefore, if the beauty of your teeth is essential to you, you may have to repair or replace them.