What are fillings?
Fillings or dental fillings are used to repair the damaged surfaces of teeth. The surface of teeth may be damaged by small fractures, damaged enamel or decay. It takes 25 to 90 minutes to place a filling in a tooth.
What different types of fillings are there?
Dental fillings are made of gold, silver, mercury or amalgam, porcelain or ceramic, plastic, composite resin materials or a glass and acrylic mixture called glass ionomer.
Is getting a filling painful?
Preparing the tooth to place a filling by removing the decayed portion using a dental drill should not be painful. Some patients find the preparation procedure uncomfortable and painful. The dentist will administer a local anesthetic to ensure that the patient does not feel pain during the procedure.
How long does recovery after fillings are placed take?
Patients may experience pain or sensitivity for a few weeks after a filling is placed. The area where the anesthetic was injected will feel sore for a few days. The gums of the patient will also feel sore for a few days.
How do I care for my teeth after fillings are placed?
Patients should not eat for at least three hours till the anesthesia wears off. They should not eat or drink anything that is too hot or too cold for a few days. They should avoid very hard food. They should take all prescribed medications correctly. They should follow correct dental hygiene and brush and floss their teeth regularly.
What are the alternatives to placing fillings?
Alternatives to dental fillings are dental crowns, inlays or onlays.
