Tooth Cavity Fillings in East Grinstead
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| Fillings are one of the most common treatments performed by dentists. Fillings are used to treat cavities in the teeth caused by decay and will also be used to restore: |
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- Broken and cracked teeth
- Teeth that have become worn over time
- Teeth that have been damaged by constant grinding
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| Fillings have been performed in dentistry for over a century and the materials and procedures that are now used can leave your teeth looking natural and healthy; the latest material used in fillings can be indistinguishable from your own teeth. At the St James Practice we ONLY provide white fillings to ensure a beautiful, natural looking result. |
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| Your teeth can be restored with fillings in 2 ways: |
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- Composite Fillings
- CEREC Fillings
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Composite Fillings
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| Composite fillings are becoming more popular with people who want natural looking teeth. Made from a mixture of glass and quartz in a special dental resin, the composite filling requires less work in restructuring the teeth and can be bonded to the teeth directly in your mouth by the dentist, meaning less intrusive dental work. Composite fillings are also hard wearing and natural and compliment the adjoining teeth. |
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CEREC Fillings
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| Although composite fillings are hard wearing, they are not quite as durable and long lasting as CEREC fillings . CEREC is a technique where we use modern computer technology to cut the shape of your tooth coloured filling from an extra strong block of dental ceramic, this is done while you wait which means less injections and less horrible impression goo. More details about CEREC are on our dedicated CEREC page. |
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Why Fillings are Needed
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| Tooth decay will cause holes in the tooth enamel; if this decay is left untreated it will progress further into the tooth, progress into the dental pulp will cause abscesses. Once the dentist has found a cavity in your teeth, he will need to remove any underlying decay and then fill the cavity. You may have already had a filling in the past that has become cracked or worn down and this will need to be restored. Often people are unaware that their fillings are damaged, but pressure when chewing food can wear down or crack a filling; this will allow bacteria to enter the tooth and cause decay. Dental fillings only have a certain lifespan, some can last for up to 15 years depending on the material used, and replacing or restoring fillings is a necessity to avoid tooth decay. |
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The Dental Filling Treatment
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| Once the dentist has ascertained that you are a candidate for a filling there are a few options available to you. The most common filling will be a direct filling using a dental amalgam. The filling procedure will usually be performed after a local anaesthetic that will numb the area to be treated. The dentist will then use an instrument; this can be either a drill or air abrasion tool that will be used to remove the decayed region of the tooth. After removing the decay, the dentist will then clear the cavity of any bacteria, by using ozone therapy before applying the chosen filling. The final step is to clean and polish the filling. Extra finishing work is needed for tooth coloured fillings, in which case layers of filling will be applied and a light will be used to harden each layer after application. The dentist will then have to shape the filling to the tooth and trim any excess followed by the final polish. |
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Caring for Fillings
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| As with any dental work, cosmetic or otherwise, a good daily dental hygiene routine is required in order to look after your fillings; brush twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste and floss daily. Your tooth may feel sensitive to hot or cold for a few days after the filling, but this is quite normal. If the sensitivity does not subside within around three weeks then a dental appointment should be scheduled. Sensitivity or pain in newly filled teeth may be alleviated by using special desensitising toothpaste but if the pain is not alleviated then it may be a symptom of something more serious, and further filling or a root canal may be required. |
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Summary
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| Dentists recommend that you have a check up at least every six months so that any early decay can be spotted before it gets the chance to cause a lot of damage. The examination also makes sure that your gums are nice and healthy as in later years most teeth are lost to gum disease. It is important to visit the dentist even if you wear dentures. |
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What will the dentist do at the examination?
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| Firstly they check your teeth for cavities and broken fillings or crowns. Dental decay may appear as a hole or sometimes as a dark shadow underneath the surface of the enamel. If there is a hole in a tooth the dentist may place a temporary filling to stop food accumulating in it. |
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| The dentist will then check your gums and your general oral hygiene to ensure there are no problems there. They may use a special probe to test the depth of the pockets around your teeth in order to detect gum disease early. |
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| Finally the soft tissues are checked for ulcerations or other lesions. The dentist will also check the jaw and associated muscles. |
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| The dentist may then take radiographs if necessary. Usually two small radiographs of your back teeth are taken every two years or when you attend a new dentist. These show any hidden decay between the teeth and the level of the bone which may indicate periodontal disease. |
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