Only a dentist can identify and treat a cavity, and most cavities are detected during the exam portion of your bi-annual dental checkup. Using special tools and lights, your dentist can find areas of decay in hard-to-see places like between and behind teeth and in the deep pits or grooves of back molars.
Moreover, cavities do not cause painful symptoms in their early stages, so you may have one and not even know it. This is also why regular checkups are important–they give your dentist a chance to find any cavities while they are still small and relatively easy to treat.
If your doctor does discover a cavity during your oral exam, he or she will schedule a future appointment for you to come in to have the cavity filled.
Here’s what a dental filling appointment will typically look like:
When you arrive for your filling appointment your doctor will begin the procedure by administering a local anesthetic via injection. This is usually the most uncomfortable part of the procedure for most patients, but it should not cause extreme pain.
Once the numbing agent has taken effect, your dentist will use specialized tools to drill a small hole into the tooth and clear out the areas of decay.
The dentist will then fill the newly cleaned hole with filling material. There are two kinds of material commonly used for fillings:
Composite Resin -This material is less noticeable because it has a more natural appearance. While it does tend to be more expensive, patients often select it when the cavities are in a visible place in their smile.
Metal Amalgam – While this material is a more cost effective option, it does have a metal appearance that some people prefer to avoid. It is typically applied on molars that are rarely seen.
Once the filling procedure is complete, you can return to your normal day-to-day activities. Although you can eat and drink immediately following your procedure, it is important to keep in mind that your mouth may still be a little numb and you risk biting your tongue or cheek. Though you shouldn’t experience pain or soreness following your filling, you may feel some slight discomfort. Be sure to let your dentist know if it persists beyond 24 hours or so.