Fillings
Dental fillings are used to treat dental caries (more popularly referred to as ‘tooth decay’ and/or ‘cavities’), and repair damaged teeth. A dental filling involves restoring the structure of the tooth by using metal, alloy, porcelain, or plastic to fill it.
Cavities are generally caused by acid waste products from bacteria in your mouth that feed on sugars and starch (this is usually why we’re warned to reduce our sugar intake). Bacteria builds up on tooth enamel and creates acids that cause holes in the tooth (cavities) which can cause pain as they get bigger and embed themselves within the tooth.
A dentist can locate a cavity through a general oral examination, or via x-rays of your mouth. Regular brushing and flossing of one’s teeth, undergoing frequent dental check-ups, and avoiding sugary foods are the best solutions to avoid ending up in your dentist’s chair!
A tooth filling procedure can seem daunting, but you can rest assured that you’re in the best hands at ADI.Fillings help to protect against further damage to a decayed tooth, and to restore its appearance and function. The replacement material – the filling – can be made out of biocompatible composite resin, glass ionomer, ceramic or even porcelain. Each material has its own set of benefits/advantages and limitations/disadvantages, which can be discussed with Dr Naidoo and his team during your initial consultation.
After an initial consult to assess the amount of damage to the tooth, Dr Naidoo will begin the treatment by administering an anaesthetic topical numbing gel followed by local anaesthetic to the patient’s mouth – to effectively numb the area around the affected tooth. He then uses a drill, air abrasion instrument, or a laser (depending on the location of the decay) to carefully remove the decayed or damaged part of the tooth. Once this has been removed, he will start preparing the space for the filling to be placed – which entails removing all debris and bacteria from the area. Once this is done, the filling can finally be placed.
NOTE: It’s also important to note that fillings that are tooth-coloured, such as biocompatible composite resin ones, have to be gradually applied in layers, as every layer has to be ‘cured’ by a special light.
Further, while it is completely normal to feel some pain and sensitivity after the procedure, you should consult your dentist if these symptoms persist for longer than two to four weeks.