Dental Fillings: Treatment, Procedure, Cost and Side Effects

When one of your tooth has been damaged due to decay or because of some bacterial infections like cavity a dental filling is done in order to restore the condition of the tooth so that it could go back to its normal functioning capabilities. Almost everyone goes for a dental filling at least once in their lifetime. Dental fillings as mentioned primarily treat decay caused by cavity formation. Other reasons why people opt for a dental filling are wearing down of a tooth over time and a defect formed due to a crack.

In case you are unsure of whether you have a tooth that is cracked the best way to figure out is if there a piercing pain during the time of biting, if there is irregular pain, if there is especially pain while eating something or drinking, if there is a perpetual feeling that something is there n the gaps between your teeth.

A tooth can crack due to several reasons. These generally include chewing on hard and solid objects such as ice cubes, pencil butts, nuts or a candy that is very hard, an injury where the mouth area has received a sudden and hard blow, constant clenching of the tooth, wear and tear over time. A crack can also form when there is sudden exposure to extreme temperature of cold and hot.

The predominant features of a dental filling includes numbing the site of the treatment by application of a topical anaesthesia, cleaning the decayed portion from the tooth in question, restoring the tooth by using a filling of amalgam or composite and the last feature comprises checking by biting to see if the teeth alignment is correct.

In case there is cracked or broken tooth, your treatment will be prescribed according to the size, direction of the crack, the location and also your signs and symptoms. Depending on your condition the doctor may or may not prescribe a treatment method for you. The types of treatment prescribed for treating cracked tooth include; filling the damaged area with some kind of material, to prevent further damage putting a crown on the affected tooth, a root canal method, in case of severe damage extraction of the tooth.

There are different kinds of fillings depending on certain allergies a patient might have, the degree of the restoration required and also the financial capability of the patient. This includes gold fillings, amalgam fillings, porcelain fillings, and plastic fillings. Gold fillings need to be pre-ordered in the laboratory. They are very expensive and can last you about 20 years. In a plastic resin method the filling is matched according to the present colour of your teeth. The ingredients for this filling are combined and are placed right onto the cavity. Over time they dry up to form a hard structure. Plastic resins have a tendency to chip over time. They also develop coffee/tea or tobacco stains and have a lasting period of around three to ten fillings. Porcelain fillings are known as inlays or onlays. Porcelain fillings can be customized according to the colour of one’s tooth and they are better than plastic resins in the sense that they can resist staining. Porcelain fillings can be as expensive as a gold filling. Silver fillings are relatively affordable and are also secured against staining. They are usually not used for filling front teeth because they have a dark colour.

All those people who are suffering from severe cavity issues and have broken tooth are eligible to undergo a dental filling procedure.

The side effects of a dental filling include maybe sensitivity to sudden pressures, cold liquids or air and sensitivity to sweets. Some patients can also feel tingling, numbness and slight ache at the site where anaesthesia had been injected. Silver fillings contain mercury which can be poisonous and extremely dangerous in the long run.

The area of the filling usually stays sore for a few days therefore, one should not chew on hard food items. Follow up your filling surgery at the dentist the first few weeks. Ensure to brush twice daily, floss, use a mouthwash and keep your mouth well-hydrated.

The anaesthesia giving at the time of filling lasts about four to eight hours after which time it wears off completely. To recover from the mouth sore and get back to your normal eating habits it can take a few days.

A composite filling per tooth can cost about 1000-1200 rupees in India. A gold crown can cost around 15,000 to 20,000 in India.

No. The results of a dental filling are not permanent. Depending on the type of filling you choose, on an average a filling can last you about three to seven years and needs a follow-up with your dentist. Keep an eye out for any chipping, darkening or discolouration.