What is filling?
A filling is a way to restore a tooth usually damaged by caries (but not only) to its normal function and shape. When a dentist fills you, he first removes the damaged part of the tooth, cleans the affected area, and then fills the cleaned cavity with a filling material. .
Different types of filling:
- Composite (plastic) resins are color-coded with your teeth and are therefore used to give them a natural look. The resin is placed directly in the tooth cavity and polymerized (hardened) so that it takes the shape of the rest of the tooth.
- Porcelain or resin inserts are created in a dental laboratory and then placed on the tooth. They can match the color of the tooth and are resistant to pigments. A porcelain restoration generally covers most of the tooth.
- There are other types of blockages that are less common depending on the occasion
If caries or a fracture has damaged a large part of the tooth, a crown or sheath may be recommended. Damage to the nerve can be treated in two ways: through denervation therapy (in which the damaged nerve is removed) or through a procedure called pulp capping (which tries to keep the nerve alive).
How do I know if I need a filling?
Only your dentist can detect if you have a cavity that needs to be occluded. During a check-up, your dentist will use a small mirror to examine the surfaces of each tooth. Anything that looks unnatural will then be carefully checked with special tools. Your dentist will use some x-rays as a diagnostic tool for part or all of your mouth. The type of treatment your dentist chooses will depend on the extent of the damage.
