Restorative Dentistry
Even if you see your dentist every six months, your teeth might still need additional help outside of your cleanings. It’s not uncommon to hear the term restorative dentistry when you’re in the office, but don’t let that scare you.
Restorative dentistry is a term used to describe the process your dental professional uses to help you restore issues in your mouth. Fillings are among the most commonly used restorative dentistry methods, and they are designed to improve your oral health, your smile, and your confidence.
The Benefits of Fillings
Fillings are used when one portion of your tooth shows signs of advanced decay. This means your tooth is causing health problems that might lead to gum disease, which can affect your overall health later in life. When your dentist sees signs of decay, he or she can take that portion of the tooth out of your mouth and fill it with a substance that strengthens the existing tooth while also giving you a great, confident smile.
Composite fillings are typically used for teeth with small to moderate cavities, and they’re great for teeth that very visible. That’s the other benefit of this type of filling. They aren’t easily noticeable, which is because they look so much like your actual tooth. Your smile is only positively affected by this type of filling. They’re used to treat cavities, broken teeth, chipped teeth, and even as a way of decreasing the size of a gap between your teeth.
What to Expect
During your appointment for a filling, you can expect a few different things. Your dentist will provide you with after-care instructions for caring for your filling. This means you will not be able to eat on that side of your mouth right away, and your dentist will provide you with a list of other expectations to help with your short recovery period. You will also regain feeling in your mouth no longer than 3 hours after your procedure is complete.
If you suspect you are suffering from tooth decay or a cavity, contact a Wilson Dental office near you to schedule an appointment. You need a filling, and we can help you make sure your teeth are health, looking good, and get your confidence back when you smile.
Use of a numbing agent
You cannot have a filling without this. The pain is real, but the numbing agent takes it away and makes it feel as if there is nothing happening.
Removal of Decay
This is the part where your dentist removes the decayed part of your tooth using special tools. Once that is gone, your dentist will apply a strengthening substance to the remainder of the tooth and let it dry.
Filling
This part involves putting the filling into your mouth. It will be done one layer at a time, and the process is done slowly. Once it’s entirely hardened in your mouth, your dentist smoothes and shapes the filling so that it looks like your natural tooth.