The vast majority of people will experience a cavity sometime throughout their life. By understanding the cavity filling process, you can often help to reduce anxiety and stress around having your own cavity filled. It is important to ensure that you schedule a cavity filling as soon as possible in order to limit the damage that occurs to your teeth. At Hendersonville Family Dental, our team is passionate about providing the services that are necessary to protect your teeth. Here are a few important things to understand about the cavity filling process that you can expect.
How Long it Takes
In general, the cavity filling process tends to be under an hour, though this will depend largely on your own specific situation, such as the severity of the cavity. Our experts can help you to plan accordingly for your own cavity filling process. However, it is also important to know that some of the effects of the filling may last beyond this time. For example, you will likely still feel numb for several hours after your appointment, until the anesthetic wears off.
Numbing
The very first step in the cavity filling process is to ensure that the area is numbed thoroughly. This is often started by the spreading of a jelly-like substance over the area. After this, an anesthetic injection is applied to the area. This helps to ensure that the area has been numbed thoroughly prior to proceeding with the process. For individuals that have severe dental anxiety, it is possible that nitrous oxide will be used at this point.
Might Insert a Rubber Dam
A rubber dam may be used to aid in the cavity filling process. This rubber dam helps to provide the dentist with better access to the tooth. It can also be used to help protect the surrounding area, such as preventing particles and debris from falling back into the throat throughout the cavity filling process.
Remove Tooth Decay
In order to effectively repair the cavity, it will first be important to remove any tooth decay from the area. This is done with a drill, laser, or air abrasion instrument. Your dentist will ensure that all remnants of tooth decay are removed from the tooth. Many people have the most anxiety about this stage, but the anesthetic should render it completely painless. Once all tooth decay has been removed, the area will be thoroughly cleaned to remove any residual debris before the filling is implemented.
Filling
The next step in the reparation of cavities is to fill the hole left behind by the decay. By filling in the hole, you minimize the chances of bacteria finding their way back into the area. This aids in protecting against further decay that can impact the health of the tooth. Once the filling has been inserted, the filling will be shaped and polished to ensure that it matches the surrounding teeth and doesn’t interfere with your normal bite.
Following the Filling
As previously mentioned, the mouth may be numb for several hours following the filling process. It is important to be cautious about what you eat during this time, to prevent accidentally burning or otherwise injuring yourself. The filled cavity may also be somewhat sensitive to hot or cold foods or beverages for a brief period after having the cavity filled.
Cavity Prevention
Prevention is always the ideal strategy for your oral health. When you prevent cavities from arising in the first place, you can keep your teeth healthy without necessarily having to go through the cavity filling process. The use of mouthwash can be a great way to strengthen your teeth and prevent the formation of cavities. It is also important to pay attention to your diet. The way you eat, as well as what you eat, can impact the health of your teeth. You need to follow a good oral hygiene routine, including visiting your dentist on a regular basis for cleanings and examinations.
If you have any more questions about the cavity filling process, our expert team is happy to help. We can guide you through the entire cavity filling process with our professionals. We can also provide regular dental cleanings to aid in the prevention and early detection of cavities. For more information about the dental services that we can provide, contact us at Hendersonville Family Dental today!