Summarize the following:
The dentist will check the teeth that are decayed. If there is more than one decayed tooth on the same side, he can treat them in a single sitting with your consent. You will be informed about the number of cavities and the stage of decay. Depending on the extent of decay, the dentist will choose a specific filling material to best improve your oral health. If the amount of decay is unclear, a dentist may use an x-ray or caries detecting dye to get a full understanding of the decay's extent. Both of these methods are painless and harmless. Lasers can also be used as decayed tooth matter reflects light at a different rate than healthy tooth enamel; again, this test is painless and harmless. An anaesthetic gel will be applied on the area where you will receive an injection of local anaesthetic solution. The gel reduces the discomfort associated with the injection. The injection numbs the tooth and the adjoining area so that you are at ease while your tooth is being filled. While the numbing solution starts acting on your tooth, the rest of the mouth is covered with a rubber dam. A rubber dam is a rubber sheet that is fixed to a metal frame and placed in the mouth. A small hole is made in the sheet, and it is stretched down to the tooth that is to be filled. The idea is that it will prevent any filling material or tooth shavings from entering your throat or mouth, and help the dentist focus on the tooth that needs to be filled. Using a dental high speed hand piece and diamond burs, the dentist will remove any previous dental restoration. They will also remove any decayed and unsupported part of the tooth. The tooth cavity must be cleaned and only sound tooth structure should be left. Once the tooth has been cleaned and only sound tooth structure is left, the dentist will add additional retention features as needed. These additional retention features would help retain the permanent tooth filling in a mechanical manner. Some retention features that could be incorporated as needed are: Convergent walls. The convergence acts as an undercut preventing dislodgement of the tooth filling in a vertical manner. Boxes. These are usually used on the proximal sides of the tooth. It prevents dislodgement of the tooth filling to the sides. Grooves. These help in assuring one path of insertion and removal of the tooth filling; thus, the tooth filling would not easily be dislodged. It is usually located along the sides of the prepared tooth. Pins. These are simple tooth preparations done on the floor of the tooth. It aids in retention of the tooth filling. Slots. These are long and slender tooth preparations done when there are insufficient walls to contain the restoration. Before filling the tooth, the dentist will make sure that the tooth preparation is smooth and there are no rough and sharp edges. Also, they will make sure that there are no unsupported tooth structures. Filling the tooth. After doing the tooth preparation and selection of the material, you are now ready to permanently fill the tooth with your chosen material. Remember that each material would have its own instruction on how to properly handle it. It is one of oldest types of dental filling material and is still a preferred one due to its superior physical properties. There are specific guidelines regarding the shape of the cavity that a dentist has to consider if the filling is of amalgam. For the filling to stay within the tooth perfectly, the tooth has to be cut in a special box shape which may involve the removal of tooth material other than the decayed part. This is a tooth-coloured filling material that is gaining popularity because of its aesthetic virtue. This material is applied in a layer-by-layer manner, and each layer is set by exposure to a curing light. For a composite filling, the dentist does not need to create a specific shape of the cavity. After the complete removal of decay, the cavity is cleaned and composite resin layer is applied. Composites are an ideal type of filling material for front teeth and tougher mixtures with higher strength are available for back teeth. Gold and porcelain fillings. Gold and porcelain are materials with extreme durability. Gold is very expensive, which is probably the only drawback of gold filling. After shaping the cavity, the dentist has to take an impression of your tooth and send it to the lab. The gold or porcelain inlay (an indirect restoration that does not exceed half of the dimensions of the tooth) or onlay (an indirect restoration that is more extensive than an inlay and covers a cusp) is prepared for your tooth and sent back. This is fixed to your tooth cavity with the help of dental cement. Glass ionomers. These fillings are available in various mixes and consistencies; it could be thin or thick depending on the use. If used as a tooth filling, it is recommended that it has a thick consistency to ensure the durability of the filling. Before dismissing the patient, the dentist will check the bite and anatomy. One has to ensure that the bite is just right and the anatomy is restored. This helps bring back normal function of the tooth. To check the bite they could: Have the patient bite on an articulating paper. It is a coloured piece of paper that is used to take note of any areas that have a high bite. Ask the patient for any feeling of discomfort. Because teeth are highly innervated, a patient could easily feel and sense if there are any changes in the height. To check for anatomy: Run a hand instrument around the tooth checking for any overhangs or catch. If there are any, these need to be adjusted and corrected using a hand piece. Visually inspect the inclinations of the tooth (the grooves and other physical traits). It must mimic a natural tooth. These attributes function as a natural spillway for food during chewing, ensuring that chewing takes place with a natural movement of the job. Your dentist will ask you to avoid eating anything for about an hour or so. If you are thirsty, you can have plain water after a 30 minutes. Coloured drinks may stain your filling if it is natural-coloured, so wait for over an hour before drinking to ensure that the filling is completely set before drinking dark or bright liquids. As well, the strength of the filling may be compromised if it is disturbed before complete setting. To ensure that the filling is maintained: Brush regularly using fluoride toothpaste Control intake of sugar Be careful when eating hard foods Maintain good oral health
Locate the area of decay. Numb the tooth. Cover the rest of the area. Drill away previous reconstruction. Tooth preparation. Amalgam. Composite resins. Check the bite and anatomy. Maintenance and Care.