Dental Filling In Gurgaon

One of the most common dental procedures, fillings are often the first resort to fixing caries and general tooth decay. These fixtures consist of a single underlying base material or a combination of different elements, including plastic, glass, and metal.

As such, it can be challenging for patients to identify which type of dental filling is best suited for them. More importantly, there may be concerns regarding the procedure itself.

This article elaborates on everything related to such oral fixtures, including the process of application, the available types, the associated pros and cons, and more.

Dental Filling Procedure

Dentists use an anesthetic agent to numb the gums and the surrounding tooth structure as a preliminary step. Following that, any decayed bits are removed using an an abrasion instrument, drill, or laser.

Then, a dentist will conduct a thorough examination to check for any remaining bacteria or caries. Once this step is complete, the cavity is prepared for the procedure through a supplementary cleaning process. Only then do dentists put in the filling material before polishing it to align it with the remaining teeth.

These steps may differ based on the type of dental filling you opt for and the extent of tooth decay. For instance, tooth colored fillings require application in layers, with each one cured individually. In other cases, if the damage has spread to the roots, dentists may use composite resin or glass ionomer fillings to protect the nerve from further decay.

Potential Complications with Teeth Fillings

A dental filling procedure does not usually result in any additional complications. However, since the extent of tooth decay can vary across individual cases, there can be a few issues patients must deal with.

As such, here are some of the most common ones:

1. Persistent Ache & Hypersensitivity Post-Procedure

Oral hypersensitivity and mild toothache are fairly common side effects of a dental filling procedure. However, these issues resolve on their own within two to four weeks. At this point, it is advisable to avoid foods that are rich in sugar or hard to chew.

In rare cases, the pain and sensitivity may persist beyond that period. This will primarily occur due to the following reasons:

• Improper cavity preparation

• Incorrectly shaped filling

• Severely infected gum roots or tooth pulp

Dentists may recommend different treatment methods depending on the causal factor. For example, if the initial cavity filling is improperly shaped, it will require additional polishing. On the other hand, a root canal procedure may be the only viable option for those with infected gum tissue or tooth pulp.

2. Allergic Reactions 

While rare, allergic reactions to fillings usually occur due to metallic base materials.

For instance, amalgam fillings contain mercury as one of their constituents. This can trigger an allergy episode in specific cases, especially in patients with a medical or family history of metal allergies.

Regardless, the symptoms associated with such issues are similar to that of a skin allergy, including the following:

• Itchy skin

• Rashes or raised hives

• Facial swelling

• Pain around the cheeks or eyes

As such, replacing dental amalgam fillings with other restorative materials is the only suitable alternative in these circumstances.

3. Deteriorated Fillings

Consistent pressure from grinding, chewing, or involuntary clenching can often cause fillings to wear out. When this happens, bacteria or food particles can seep under the cracked fixture and cause additional dental damage. New fillings can also fall off due to incorrect application, bacterial contamination, or fractural damage.

In a few cases, the decay may be too extensive, or there may not be sufficient tooth structure remaining. A dental crown will be the best alternative for such instances.

Even so, it is almost impossible for the average person to tell when a cavity filling is damaged. That is why it is critical to consult a dentist regularly to detect such problems at the earliest opportunity.

Types of Dental Fillings

Currently, there are several types of dental fillings available on the market. However, the viability of each depends on specific conditions, namely:

• The extent and location of tooth decay

• The general cost of the filling material

• An individual’s dental insurance or coverage

That said, listed below are some of the most common variants that you can opt for:

• Gold or porcelain fillings

• Dental amalgam fillings

• Composite fillings

In order to make a choice, it is best to consider your dentist’s advice and recommendation. By doing so, you’ll pick the filling material that works best for you.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Different Types of Teeth Fillings?

Individual suitability for dental filling materials is entirely dependent on the previously mentioned elements. However, there are a few general advantages and disadvantages for specific variants.

Here are a few of them:

1. Gold or Porcelain Fillings

Due to their base material, gold and porcelain fillings are highly durable, typically lasting approximately 15 years or more. In addition, these fixtures have a significantly lower chance of corroding.

However, it is important to keep in mind that such variants are incredibly resistant to constant chewing pressure, mitigating the chances of them fracturing or suffering any damage.

Nonetheless, they have a few disadvantages, those primarily being:

• Galvanic Shock: If a patient opts for gold fillings when they already have fixtures made of different materials, it can cause them to experience sharp pain. This occurs due to the interaction between saliva and the metal fillings, which leads to the generation of an electric current.

• An Expensive & Complicated Procedure: Filling materials such as gold or porcelain are significantly expensive compared to other variants. In addition, the application process itself takes two sessions to complete, prolonging the entire procedure and making it even more costly.

2. Silver Amalgam Fillings

While an amalgam filling is not as durable as porcelain or gold fillings, it is still a long-lasting solution for fixing dental cavities. More importantly, it offers relatively high bite resistance while being cheaper than composite resin material.

However, silver amalgam is a poor choice when it comes to maintaining your oral aesthetic appearance. Apart from that, the material tends to get discolored over time and leaves a grayish tinge on the surrounding teeth.

In some cases, dentists may also need to remove significant parts of the tooth to make enough room for these fixtures. This can cause the destruction of healthy molars.

3. Composite Resin Fillings

Also known as tooth-colored fillings, a composite filling is one of the most commonly opted-for materials in such oral fixtures. This primarily stems from them being better suited to match the aesthetic appearance of natural teeth.

Moreover, composite fillings offer excellent versatility. For instance, the material can micro-mechanically attach to the peripheral tooth structure. This helps provide additional support to the surrounding teeth.

As an added benefit, a composite filling rarely requires extensive preparation, allowing dentists to remove minimal parts from the affected tooth.

Yet, unlike amalgam, porcelain, or gold variants, these fixtures are not very durable and may need replacement every five years.

Are There Any Alternatives to Dental Fillings?

In some circumstances, fillings may not be the appropriate treatment for decayed teeth. For instance, bacterial infection may have eroded significant parts of the tooth structure, making it incompatible with standard filling materials.

While dental crowns can be helpful in such instances, most dentists will resort to indirect fillings if the remaining teeth are sufficiently healthy.

As such, there are two primary types of indirect fillings, that being the following:

• Inlays: Similar to a direct filling, dentists use an inlay to eliminate cavities. However, the bulk of the material is placed on the tooth’s cusp and then cemented into position.

• Onlays: Also called partial crowns, an onlay typically covers more than one cusp and requires more extensive application than an inlay.

Now, both the above-mentioned fixtures share similar characteristics to composite fillings. For example, inlays and onlays offer a more natural oral aesthetic appearance. This makes them especially suitable for fixing cavities in the front teeth. However, unlike composite fillings, they are highly durable, lasting up to 30 years or more.

The application procedure is also slightly more involved than a standard filling. Patients must opt for two separate sessions, each serving a different purpose.

The first phase will include the cleaning and removal of the decayed tooth structure or any existing oral fixtures. Then, dentists take an impression of the cavity to customize the inlay or the onlay according to the patient’s needs. During the waiting period, a temporary cover is placed to prevent further tooth decay.

The second session involves the direct application of the custom-fitted filling onto the patient’s tooth. The final step includes an examination of the fixture’s alignment to ensure that it does not interfere with the other teeth.

Aside from this, indirect fillings are excellent for distributing bite force evenly across the other molars. This is primarily due to how they are customized for each patient, more so than composite fillings or any other variant. In short, they usually do not need reshaping or additional polishing post-procedure.

Additional Points to Note

While dental fillings are one of the safest and most straightforward types of oral fixtures, patients must keep a few things in mind. This includes the following:

• Always ensure you have the appropriate dental insurance coverage to meet the costs of the procedure

• Consider all aspects, such as durability, aesthetic appearance, and maintenance, when choosing filling materials

• Seek emergency dental treatment upon experiencing issues, such as recurrent tooth sensitivity, pain, or general numbness

• Maintain a good oral hygiene routine post-procedure to avoid unnecessary complications

That aside, it is best to visit your nearest dental office regularly. This will help you become aware of any potential issues pre-emptively.

Wrapping Up

A dental filling is one of the safest ways to address some of the most commonly experienced oral issues. However, it is critical to determine which type works best for you. As such, relying on your dentist’s advice while considering all the provided information in this article can help you navigate this decision.

Apart from this, have a thorough discussion with your dentist regarding your medical history, especially when it comes to metal allergies. This will not only inform the choice of the base material but also prevent unnecessary complications from arising in the future.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How long does a dental filling last?

Fillings can last for several years or even more than a decade, depending on personal eating habits and the base material of the fixture. For instance, silver amalgam fillings are durable enough to last 15 years, while gold fillings go beyond that. However, it’s rare to see patients opting for such variants due to their cost.

2. Are dental fillings painful?

Fillings typically do not cause any pain during the procedure. However, there may be some discomfort if the patient has severe tooth decay. Regardless, dentists will use a numbing gel and a local anesthetic to mitigate the potential pain.

3. What should you avoid when you have a newly filled tooth?

Dentists advise avoiding hard or chewy foods alongside any sugary or carbonated beverages. These can result in tooth decay causing bacteria to compromise the integrity of the filling materials, which can lead to additional complications.

4. What are the most common signs of dental caries?

The three most common signs of dental caries are persistent toothache, oral hypersensitivity, and bad breath. As such, consulting a dentist regularly can help in pre-emptively detecting such issues.

5. Is it common to experience toothache after getting a dental filling?

Mild discomfort or tooth sensitivity is typical after such a procedure. However, this usually subsides over time. If the issue persists, consult us immediately, as it may indicate an incorrectly placed filling or accidental nerve damage.