Dental Fillings in Darwin

What is a Dental Filling? – Dental Fillings in Darwin:

The tooth may become damaged due to certain factors such as tooth decay, fracture, or injury. Dental Fillings are the most commonly used restorative procedure that brings back the structure and function of the worn, decayed, or damaged tooth.

Dental Fillings can be of the following types:

• Silver Amalgam
• Composite Fillings
• Glass Ionomer Cement
• Gold
• Porcelain

Signs that I Need a Dental Filling? 

To understand if you require a dental filling or not, it is essential to get a dental checkup done. After a thorough checkup, the dentist will be able to suggest you the best option. Sometimes when tooth decay is present between teeth, it is not visible to the naked eye.

There are some common signs mentioned below. If you relate to any of the below-mentioned conditions, you may require a dental filling:

• Dark spots on the teeth
• A hole that can be seen or felt on the tooth
• A chipped, rough, or broken tooth
• Food always getting stuck between specific teeth

Types of Fillings – Dental Fillings in Darwin:

There are majorly two kinds of dental fillings: direct and indirect.

Direct Fillings:

Direct Dental Fillings can be metal-based or metal free. Metallic fillings include silver amalgam or gold.

Metal Free Fillings are Tooth-colored fillings that are natural in appearance and are made to match the natural color of your teeth.

Following are the types of metal free fillings:

Composite Fillings:

They are metal free fillings made of resin and plastic material, which can be done in one sitting in most cases. Composite Fillings are placed into the cavity and are hardened (cured) using a special dental light. Getting this filling depends upon the tooth’s location that needs to be restored.

Glass Ionomer Cements (GIC):

These filings are primarily used in baby/primary teeth. They are preferred to be used on the non-biting surfaces of the tooth. These metal free fillings may also contain fluoride, preventing further tooth decay.

Indirect Fillings:

Indirect fillings are similar to toot-colored fillings except that they are fabricated in a dental lab. They are considered when there is extensive loss of the tooth structure that direct fillings cannot repair.

Indirect fillings are of two types:

Inlays:

Inlays are made to fit in the chewing surface of a damaged tooth due to decay or injury. Inlays are created in a dental lab using an impression of the affected areas. They fit perfectly into the tooth’s hollow but do not affect the cusps.

Onlays:

Onlays cover a larger area of the tooth and are used for decay and damage to the cusps of a tooth and the biting surface. These are also called partial crowns as they serve the same function but cover only a portion of the tooth, unlike crowns.

Benefits of Metal Free fillings:

The advantages of Tooth-colored fillings are:

• they blend seamlessly with the natural tooth making it visually pleasing
• it preserves more natural tooth structure intact
• they are less time taking
• they improve confidence as they are natural-looking and less noticeable
• they are long-lasting and can withstand moderate pressure

Procedure – Dental Fillings in Darwin:

Diagnosis and Treatment Planning:

The dentist will comprehensively examine your oral cavity and evaluate the extent of tooth decay. He may also take an X-ray for precise treatment planning.

Anesthesia:

According to the extent of decay, the dentist might administer local anesthesia, which will numb the area around the tooth and minimize the discomfort.

Cavity Preparation:

Using a dental drill, the decayed tooth structure is removed. The cavity is then cleaned, disinfected, and prepared to place the filling material in it.

Placement of Dental Filling Material:

The dental filling material is then placed into the prepared cavity. The filling is then sculpted to restore the shape of the tooth. It is then allowed to get hardened and set (cured using light if required).

Finishing and Polishing:

The dentist will check for any rough surfaces and polish the tooth.

What if I neglect a Dental Filling? – Dental Fillings in Darwin:

A dental cavity causes irreversible damage to the tooth. The open structure of the cavity allows the bacteria to penetrate deeper into the layers of the tooth. It makes the exposed area more susceptible to damage.

Leaving this decay untreated can result in the following:

• the worsening and destruction of the healthy tooth structure
• spread of infection to the adjacent tooth
• formation of an abscess (pus) leading to bone damage
• prolonged tooth pain
• loss of the toothPost-treatment care of a Dental Filling – Dental Fillings in Darwin:

• Avoid eating anything for 2-3 hours immediately after getting a dental filling done. This will ensure the adequate setting of the filling material.
• Avoid touching or scraping the filled tooth.
• Do not eat hard, sticky, or extremely hot and cold foods, especially for the first 24 hours after the procedure. Instead, consume soft food at room temperature.
• Do not smoke or consume tobacco.
• Limit the intake of food items that may stain the filling, such as wine, coffee, tea, and berries.