Filling

Theacher:Maxian Liuba
Student Stupeliman Cristina, group S2206
 What a filling?

A filling is a way to restore a tooth damaged by decay back to

its normal function and shape. When a dentist gives you a
filling, he or she first removes the decayed tooth material,
cleans the affected area, and then fills the cleaned out cavity
with a filling material.
• By closing off spaces where bacteria can enter, a filling also
helps prevent further decay. Materials used for fillings include
gold, porcelain, a composite resin (tooth-colored fillings), and
an amalgam (an alloy of mercury, silver, copper, tin and
sometimes zinc).
 Types of filling:
Amalgam (silver) fillings are resistant to wear and relatively inexpensive. However, due to
their dark color, they are more noticeable than porcelain or composite restorations and
are not usually used in very visible areas, such as front teeth.
Composite (plastic) resins are matched to be the same color as your teeth and therefore
used where a natural appearance is desired. The ingredients are mixed and placed
directly into the cavity, where they harden. Composites may not be the ideal material for
large fillings as they may chip or wear over time. They can also become stained from
coffee, tea or tobacco, and do not last as long as other types of fillings – generally from
three to 10 years.
• Porcelain fillings are called inlays or onlays and are produced to order in a lab and then
bonded to the tooth. They can be matched to the color of the tooth and resist staining.
A porcelain restoration generally covers most of the tooth. Their cost is similar to go
 The fracture of decay

• If decay or a fracture has damaged a large portion

of the tooth, a crown, or cap, may be
recommended. Decay that has reached the nerve
may be treated in two ways: through root canal
therapy (in which nerve damaged nerve is
removed) or through a procedure called pulp
capping (which attempts to keep the nerve alive).
 What happens when you get a filling?

If your dentist decides to fill a cavity, he or she will first

remove the decay and clean the affected area. The cleaned-
out cavity will then be filled with any of the variety of
materials described above.
 How do I know If I need filling?

Only your dentist can detect whether you have a cavity that needs
to be filled. During a checkup, your dentist will use a small mirror
to examine the surfaces of each tooth.

Anything that looks abnormal will then be closely checked with

special instruments. Your dentist may also X-ray your entire mouth
or a section of it. The type of treatment your dentist chooses will
depend on the extent of damage caused by decay
 Dental filling
The procedure for a dental filling is used to repair minor fractures
or decay in the teeth, as a form of restorative dental treatment
• A dental filling can help to even out the surface of the tooth and
improve the function of the jaw for biting and chewing. Many
patients with tooth decay also suffer from sensitivity of the teeth
due to loss of enamel, which can also be improved significantly
with the placement of a dental filling.
 The procedure of filling

The first step in the dental filling procedure is to administer a local anesthetic
so that the area around the affected tooth becomes numb, increasing the
comfort of the patient throughout the procedure.

• Next, the decayed or damaged tooth and its surrounding areas should be
prepared for restoration. A dental hand-piece or laser may be used to
remove the damaged parts of the tooth. An acid gel is used to cleanse the
area to remove any remaining bacteria or debris. The filling material is then
applied to the area to fill the cavity.
 To avoid dental problems follows

When the dental filling procedure is complete, it is important for the dentist to spend some
time with the patient to discuss how decay can be prevented from forming underneath or
near the filling. These methods will also be useful in preventing decay in other teeth.
Patients should be advised to follow good oral care practices, such as brushing their teeth
with fluoride toothpaste twice daily, flossing, and using an interdental cleaner daily.
Fluoride mouth rinses can also be beneficial for patients with a high risk of further decay.

Some patients with a high risk of caries may also benefit from a sealant placed over the
molars at the back of the mouth to prevent plaque build-up and decay in the area.

Follow-up appointments are sometimes required to check the progress of the tooth with the
filling and for regular professional cleanings.
What is temporary dental filling and why is it needed?

-For fillings that require more than one appointment (for example, for indirect
fillings)
-For following a root canal
To allow the nerve of the tooth to settle if the pulp is irritated
If urgent dental treatment is required.
Temporary Fillings can last no more than 1 month. Therefore, it should be
replaced with permanent filling before breaking, falling, worn out. Otherwise,
your tooth may become infected or you may have other complications.
In which causes should intervention ne requred
after filling?

If your dentist suspects that a filling may be cracked or leaking, this may cause deposits and
saliva to leak between the filling and the tooth. X-rays are taken to evaluate this situation.

If your tooth is extremely sensitive, you need to call your dentist for an appointment if you
feel a sharp edge, notice that the filling is cracked, or if part of the filling is missing. If such
situations are neglected or deemed insignificant, they may lead to more important problems in
the future. Therefore, it is necessary to intervene in advance
 Caring for your filling!
After you’ve had a cavity filled, it’s important you take care of it. Fillings are strong but are still susceptible to damage.

You may feel slight discomfort after the procedure. This will pass in a few hours.

Make sure you engage in healthy oral hygiene on a regular basis. This means brushing, flossing, and using mouthwash. You
don’t need to change the way you brush now that you have a filling.

Look into toothpaste specifically designed for sensitive teeth. This will help protect enamel and prevent decay from forming.

You should also use mouthwash with fluoride on a daily basis to kill bacteria