Dental filling procedure, which prevents tooth loss and provides aesthetic benefits, can be applied to decayed, broken, or cracked teeth. How a dental filling is done varies depending on the type and location of tooth damage. The filling procedure is an important treatment method for maintaining oral and dental health.
How is a Dental Filling Done?
During the
dental filling procedure, first, the decayed tooth tissue is removed. The area affected by decay is cleaned, and the resulting cavities are filled with filling material. Cavities are sealed with filling material to prevent bacteria from entering and to prevent decay from recurring and progressing. Dental fillings are performed with various materials to fill decayed, cracked, or aesthetically disturbing teeth. Materials such as gold, porcelain, and composite resin can be used as dental filling materials. If a previous filling wears down or falls out, refilling may be necessary. The choice of filling material should be determined according to the tooth structure and needs.
Who Can Get Dental Fillings?
Dental fillings are applied to teeth that are decayed, broken, or damaged for other reasons. Deformed teeth regain both their aesthetic appearance and functionality after treatment.
When Are Dental Fillings Needed?
Teeth that have lost substance for different reasons, cannot perform chewing function, are aesthetically unpleasant, or are damaged, broken, cracked, or decayed due to trauma can be treated with filling procedures.
Types of Dental Fillings
Dental fillings can be applied with different materials. These types of dental fillings are:
Amalgam filling: Also known as silver filling due to its silver-like appearance. Today, materials in natural tooth color are preferred instead of this filling for treating cavities and filling resulting spaces.
Composite filling: A type of filling used to correct problems such as decay, fractures, or cracks that may occur in teeth.
Ceramic filling: Classified as inlay, onlay, and overlay fillings; when tissue loss occurs in the tooth, measurements of the existing tooth are taken, and the filling is prepared in a laboratory environment.
Gold filling: A type of filling used for repairing teeth following tooth decay or damage.
Dental Filling Application Steps
Dental filling application steps can be listed as follows:
- An X-ray of the area to be filled is taken
- The tooth interior is hollowed out with special tools
- The tooth surroundings and interior are cleaned
- Filling material is selected and prepared
- The tooth is filled with the selected material
- A special machine is used for rapid hardening of the filling material
- After the filling application, the patient is asked to open and close their mouth. If the filling creates an uncomfortable area in the mouth, the dentist corrects this area. Lowering, cutting, or thinning procedures can be done for this.
Things to Consider After Dental Filling
Hard foods should be avoided for the first few hours after the filling is applied. Hard snacks such as walnuts, hazelnuts, or chips should not be consumed. Also, it is recommended to avoid chewing and biting operations; the filling should not be subjected to these operations harshly within the first 24 hours.
Dental Filling Prices
Dental filling prices can vary depending on the type of filling material used, the dentist’s expertise level, aesthetic expectations, and other factors. More comprehensive treatment options are also offered according to patient preferences. Additionally, there are price differences between filling materials. While composite fillings containing multiple layers are offered at more affordable prices, the prices of procedures using materials such as porcelain or onlay vary depending on these factors. Depending on the durability of the filling material, there are also options that don’t require refilling. When determining the price, factors such as the details of the procedures to be performed and material quality are taken into consideration.
