When you go for your first dental filling, whether it’s just one of the first of many, there are a few things to expect. Whether you have a cavity needing a filling or your tooth has been severely worn away by grinding at night, you can trust that the procedure is less traumatic than you’ve been previously led to believe.
What Is a Filling, Anyway?
The ultimate goal of dentistry is to make your smile as beautiful and long-lasting as possible. To maintain that beauty, your dentist may have to place a dental filling, also known as a “dental restoration,” in your tooth. Dentists can use a variety of dental fillings for the many different kinds of dental cavities.
Dental fillings are used in cases where cavities are present in the teeth. A cavity is caused when a sugar-craving bacteria settles upon tooth enamel and feeds on sugars found within food. This process causes a hole to form in the enamel, which can be filled with a dental filling.
Having a dental filling is an essential part of your dental care. However, it may also be a very uncomfortable experience for you. Your dentist in Jonesboro, AR, or wherever your dentist is located, will explain each step of the process as it occurs, so there won’t be any surprises.
The thought of getting a cavity filled can fill you with dread. But the experience doesn’t have to be a bad one. Even if you’re nervous about dental work, being prepared for what to expect beforehand can help ease your mind and make your trip to the dentist more pleasant.
The Basics
The first thing to remember is that your experience with a dental filling will vary from practice to practice. If you’re nervous about going to the dentist to get a cavity filled, know that you have nothing to worry about. The process is usually quick and involves minimal (if any) pain. However, there are still a few things you need to know before going to the dentist for a filling.
Getting Ready Is Important.
Mental preparation for a filling is important. Don’t let a previous bad experience at the dentist make you avoid going to the dentist altogether.
There are many different dentists and many different dental practices. You’re unlikely to have a similar experience at every practice or with every dentist, so don’t judge all dentists based on one bad one.
And, if you’re worried about going to the dentist, pick a practice or individual dentist with whom you feel comfortable and give them a try. The best way to find out whether or not a particular place has good customer service is by asking around.
What Are the Fillings Made Of?
There are two kinds of fillings: silver amalgam and white composite resin. Silver amalgam fillings have been used in dentistry for over 150 years, while composite resins are more recent. Amalgams can be just as effective as composites, but composites are more aesthetically pleasing.
Silver amalgam is cheaper than composite resin because it uses less material and has been around longer. However, silver amalgams are becoming obsolete due to patient concerns about mercury, which can be toxic to the body.
Composite resins are slightly more expensive than silver amalgams because they require special tools for application and curing. However, they are considered safer than silver amalgams, so most dentists only offer composite resin fillings to patients who have cavities.
You May Experience Some Symptoms.
Before the filling procedure, your dentist should inject your gums with local anesthesia. Some dentists also use nitrous oxide (laughing gas). The anesthesia will prevent you from feeling the dentist drilling into your tooth to remove the cavity.
However, it is not uncommon for patients to become lightheaded or tired during the procedure, so make sure someone will drive you home after your appointment if you do feel sluggish after the filling.
You may have some swelling and redness around the tooth that was filled, but this should subside within a few days to a week. Your mouth will also be numb, which can be a weird and jaring feeling, but just take some time to rest after the procedure so that you can properly recover.
Wrap-Up
It’s natural for patients to feel apprehensive about dental visits. A lot of anxiety is caused by fear of what will happen inside your mouth during the appointment. By preparing yourself for what to expect during a filling and understanding why the procedure is necessary, you might feel less anxious about the experience.