Dental fillings are one of the most common procedures a dentist will perform in their office. They’re used to restore a tooth that has deteriorated or been damaged by tooth decay, chips, or fractures, and they involve meticulous attention to detail to properly reshape and bring it back to optimal functioning.
For those who are interested in pursuing dentistry as a career, or those who simply wish to learn more about a procedure they’re having done and what will happen, this short article will cover the basics in three simple steps.
Preparing the Tooth
All great work starts with preparation, and dentistry is no different. The dentist will begin the process by removing the decayed or damaged part of the tooth using special tools – usually an assortment of drills.
Having successfully removed all parts, they’ll then thoroughly clean the area to effectively get rid of any remaining bateria and debris. If the dentist were to skip this step, there would be a risk of infection later after the filling has been completed, which would mean treating the infection locally and having to redo the entire process.
With all decay out of the way, the dentist will perform any final remodeling to the tooth to ensure it’s ready to have the filling applied.
Adhesives and Primers
Immediately following the first stage, the dentist will then use primers to prepare the tooth for bonding: they create a strong foundation which will then allow adhesives to bind properly to the enamel (the top layer of the tooth).
After the primer has been applied, the dental adhesives are then added on top. The adhesive’s job is to glue everything together, bonding the filling to the tooth permanently. The adhesives also work to seal the tooth and resolve any gaps where bacteria could potentially enter and cause an infection.
The combination of primers and adhesives is referred to as a ‘hybrid layer’: an important step that bridges the tooth and filling material, minimizing the risk of further decay or fracture and reducing the likelihood of sensitivity.
Applying the Filling
Finally, it’s time to apply the filling itself. Most simple fillings are referred to as ‘composite’ fillings: the filling material is added in multiple layers, building the new shape of the tooth up bit by bit. Each subsequent layer is cured using a special light, to ensure that strength and integrity are maintained right through the process.
Once the final layer is applied, the dentist will then very carefully shape the tooth, taking care to match it with the comparative tooth on the other side of the mouth. It will then be polished, which is mostly for aesthetic reasons.
The patient will be asked to bite down to check that everything feels comfortable, and they’ll then rinse out.
Wrapping Up
The process of having a filling is relatively straight forward in principle, but it requires a great degree of skill and practice to get right. Hopefully, you’re now much clearer on the process and what it entails!
