Fillings
A dental filling, also known as a bonding, is a tooth coloured restorative material placed into damaged or broken parts of the tooth. This damage could have occurred due to cavities, or due to trauma, such as a fall. The tooth is cleaned and the filling is placed to mimic the original appearance of the tooth. It is almost impossible to differentiate between the natural tooth and the filling.
Steps to a perfect filling
Step 1
The Acharya dental team assess your teeth and makes sure that a filling will work for you. Typically, smaller cavities and defects are best managed with a filling. Larger defects may need an inlay, onlay or crown.
Step 2
The tooth is thoroughly cleaned to remove all remaining cavities. A filling material that matches your tooth colour is placed on the tooth.
Step 3
A blue light is used to make the filling material “set”. The bite is adjusted to make sure you’re comfortable, and you are good to go!
Do flings need special care and maintenance?
No, they do not! The Acharya Dental team will ensure the filling seamlessly blends with the existing tooth so routine brushing and flossing is all you need to help the filling lost a long time.
Frequently Asked Questions
More questions? We’re ready to help. Give us a call at +91-44-49501100 or book online now.
While examining your mouth in the mirror, you may have come across a few brownish-black holes in your teeth. These are cavities, and are also known as dental caries. These cavities grow deeper and bigger if not treated at their initial stages. If you have suspect you have a cavity, it is very important for you to visit your dentist for a consultation and to evaluate if they need to be treated.
At their initial stages, cavities do not have very evident symptoms. In fact, most patients do not have symptoms at all. The symptoms entirely depend on the location and extent of the cavities. Hence, it is very important to come in for your regular dental visit once every 6 months, so that the Acharya Dental team can treat the cavities at their initial stages. As the decay increases in size, the following symptoms are seen: – Toothache – Sensitivity – Mild to sharp pain on eating something sweet, hot or cold – Pain on biting – Visibly large brownish- black holes
Enamel can remineralize itself to a small extent by using the minerals from the saliva and fluoride from tooth pastes. As the cavity becomes bigger, the enamel is weakened and destroyed because more minerals are lost. This leads to the formation of a cavity. A cavity cannot repair itself on its own. It has to be treated by a trained professional.
The team at Acharya Dental will remove the decayed part of the tooth. During the procedure, you will hear a vibrating sound while the dentist cleans the infected part of the tooth. The procedure is done under local anesthesia and is completely painless. Once that is complete, a filling material will be placed in the tooth and will be strengthened with a blue-coloured light. The filling will be done layer by layer and you will be requested to keep your mouth open for a few minutes. Once filled, the tooth will be polished until the surface is completely smooth and feels natural. There are no dietary restrictions after a filling.
At Acharya Dental, we use the latest generation composite bonding materials (tooth coloured) to restore minor cavities and chipped teeth. Many of our patients also prefer to have old silver amalgam fillings replaced in their mouth with the tooth coloured composite fillings, and we are happy to provide this service. Recent advances have introduced Nano-composites which have micro and nano meter sized particles for the best esthetic and functional result.
This is a simple and painless procedure. In case the filling is deep, you will be anesthetized. The Team at Acharya Dental will begin by applying a gel to the gums to anesthetize the tissue, prior to delivering local anesthesia to numb the tooth.
With proper care and maintenance, fillings can last for many years. Recent studies have indicated that an average life of a dental filling is 7-10 years. However, many patients have successful fillings for much longer than that.
Following cavity prevention tips must be followed to keep your teeth and gums healthy and strong:
- You must brush your teeth at least twice a day with a fluoridated tooth paste. Flossing is essential after brushing to prevent accumulation of food in between teeth. Make sure you rinse your mouth with water after every meal or snack.
- Use of a fluoride mouth wash twice daily after brushing can aid in added protection against tooth decay.
- Visit our dentists at Acharya Dental regularly at least once every 6 months for a complete clinical check-up and teeth cleaning to detect tooth decay at an incipient stage.
- Dental sealants can be applied to seal the grooves where food can get trapped easily. This helps in preventing tooth decay. Our team doctors can educate you on this.
- Drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration of the mouth. A dry mouth is more susceptible to develop dental caries.
- You must include fresh fruits and vegetables, cheese, unsweetened tea or coffee in your diet. Dairy products, almonds contain high levels of calcium which is good for your teeth. Avoid soda, added sugar and junk foods.
- Chewing sugar free gums can help you fight plaque as they contain Xylitol. Xylitol stimulates saliva which aids in keeping our teeth clean.
