What are dental fillings?
Dental fillings are a type of restoration used to repair damage caused by tooth decay.
Getting a dental filling is a quick and relatively painless procedure. It’s an affordable and effective way to prevent further damage while allowing your tooth to function normally.
What is the process for getting fillings?
At Long Beach Family Dental Group, getting a filling begins with a comprehensive oral exam, a review of your oral health history, and a discussion of your symptoms. Your provider also takes a series of oral X-rays to determine the extent of the decay.
After gathering this information, your provider administers a local anesthetic to numb your gums and tooth roots. Once the anesthesia sets in, your provider carefully drills through your tooth enamel and removes all of the decaying material.
Next, your provider cleans and sterilizes your tooth. Then they fill the hole or damaged portion of your tooth with a thin layer of composite resin.
Your provider points a special light at the resin to harden and cure the material. They repeat these steps several times until your tooth returns to its normal shape and size. Lastly, your provider cleans and polishes the filling. They also align your bite.
Does getting fillings take a long time?
Getting a dental filling usually takes an hour or less. Simple fillings typically take half an hour, but treating more extensive decay can take longer.
Long Beach Family Dental Group works hard to ensure your comfort during the entire process. If you experience pain or irritation at any point during your filling procedure, speak up and let your provider know.
After receiving a filling, what is the recovery process like?
Following your filling appointment, you can return to normal activity right away. Once the anesthesia wears off, you might experience some mild pain or swelling, but this should subside within a day or two. If the pain persists, feel free to take an over-the-counter painkiller.
You might also experience tooth sensitivity for a week or two. To ease discomfort, you can:
- Avoid chewing with your treated tooth
- Avoid acidic foods
- Avoid hot or cold foods and beverages
- Brush and floss more gently than usual
You might also want to consider buying a desensitizing toothpaste.
To learn more about dental fillings, schedule an appointment at Long Beach Family Dental Group. Call the office and speak with a friendly staff member or book a consultation online today.
