All About Filling a Cavity

Dental filling understood as an operative procedure, is a restorative technique aimed at filling a cavity created in a tooth following a pathological or traumatic event, in order to recover its original function and morphology. The procedure

often requires the execution of a local anesthesia, and therefore the removal of any pathological material that may be present, the filling of the cavity with the appropriate material, and its finishing and polishing. The term dental filling also defines the result of the operative intervention, that is the mass of the

material once the positioning operation in the tooth has been completed.

The fillings can be divided into temporary and definitive, depending on the type of material used. In the case of permanent fillings, the most used materials are

composite resins and etc. The fillings can be divided into temporary and definitive, depending on the type of material used. In the case of permanent fillings, the most used materials are composite resins and etc.

The typical filling technique involves a cavity preparation phase which includes

an accurate removal of any pathological tissue, then a cavity filling phase, and a final finishing and polishing phase. Depending on the materials used, this scheme may include some additional steps, linked to the different needs of the materials themselves. In the case of medium-large lesions it is often necessary to resort to local anesthesia, while in the presence of superficial lesions, and in

teeth with very sclerotic dentin, anesthesia may be superfluous.

In the most common case, in the presence of a carious lesion, the instruments used to access the pathological cavity and remove the infected tissue are usually the high-speed rotating handpieces (turbines) and the low-speed ones (contra-angle handpiece).

In the case of reaching depths such as to endanger the vitality of the pulp tissues, a protective substrate can be used. The reconstruction of the walls that lean against the neighboring (approximal) teeth is carried out using thin shaped ribbons (matrices) and wedges, which allow the reconstruction of the correct contact point.

In case of extensive loss of dental tissue, with poor support of the residual walls and cusps, and even more so in the case of a devitalized tooth, the direct filling technique may be inadequate and with unpredictable results, and techniques will therefore be considered of indirect reconstruction with cusp covering, such as on lay inlays and prosthetic crowns.

In any case, toothache after a filling is a very frequent sensation and is due to a whole series of factors that we will now examine. But first it is worth remembering that the filling to the teeth acts not only to remove the decay that has damaged the tooth, but also to seal the dental spaces in which bacteria could infiltrate, creating new carious processes and actually putting health at risk. of the tooth itself.

The reasons of tooth ache after a filling can be many. The main causes of tooth pain after a filling, this is because they often and willingly create an excessive thickness. It is therefore necessary that, after completion of the filling, the dentist carefully evaluates the thickness of the treated tooth, checking that it does not disturb the other teeth by creating excessive pressure when chewing or closing the dental arches.

The second is certainly linked to the state of health of the tooth itself. If the tooth to be filled is seriously compromised or has undergone several fillings over time (which is far from rare), it is possible that it has become hypersensitized. This phenomenon is quite frequent and manifests itself as tooth pain after a filling whenever you come into contact with sugary or cold foods. However, a tooth that becomes sensitive after a filling can cause a painful sensation even if stimulated by a blow of air or a simple pressure. Sometimes even chewing can induce a rather uncomfortable sensation.

Toothache after a filling usually occurs at the first meal, which should not happen for a few hours. It takes some time before the filling “hardens”: it is a good idea to try to be as careful as possible, in the 3-4 hours immediately following the dental session.   For the first two or three days it is good to choose soft foods, at room temperature and with a creamy consistency. In any case, the dentist who performed the filling will provide the patient with all the information they need.

After a filling it is good to be careful with the temperature of the food; too hot or too cold food could damage the treated area after surgery. it is best to wait a few hours before eating and drinking and to avoid foods that are too sugary and sticky.

In most cases, sensitivity decreases within a week or two. In the meantime, we must try to avoid potential causes that may arise. In case of severe or persistent sensitivity after two weeks, contact your dentist.

The duration of the filling depends on many factors; the width of the cavity, the position in the dental arch, the type of filling material used, the age of the patient and even the age of the dentist as his skills also depend on this. Despite this difficulty, from the set of recent studies, data of average duration emerge, which can be summarized in a variable duration from 5 to 10 years for composite materials.

Have you had your regular cleaning yet? Call Angel Dental to set up an appointment for your routine cleaning, and maybe you won’t have to worry about any fillings! Call us 626-444-2002