In dentistry, a cervical filling is a filling in the area of the neck of the tooth to treat defects in the hard tooth substance (enamel and dentin) at this point. The cervical filling is suitable for the treatment of small to medium-sized “holes” in the area of the neck of the tooth, which are usually caused by caries or by incorrect tooth brushing technique. Besides the treatment of defects in the hard tooth substance, the cervical filling is used to prevent the (re)appearance of caries and also to prevent sensitivity to pain at the tooth necks. In contrast to root canal treatment, a filling at the neck of the tooth is a relatively painless treatment option to preserve damaged teeth. Depending on the material, and with good oral hygiene, a cervical filling can last several years.
Procedure of a cervical filling
Once the inspection is completed and the dentist has informed the patient about the treatment, the dentist first begins to remove the defective hard tooth substance (enamel/dentine) with rotating instruments (drills) or with hand instruments. This treatment step can be performed under anesthesia (local anesthesia), which makes the treatment painless for the patient. With the help of special probes the dentist can check whether the diseased tissue has been completely removed, because a cervical filling may only be inserted in healthy, caries-free hard tooth substance.
Before the actual filling begins, the tooth to be treated must be dried out, because most materials used for a cervical filling require a dry environment. In the best case this is done with a rubber dam, if this is not possible, cotton rolls are inserted into the oral cavity to absorb saliva. Depending on the type of filling material used, the tooth or tooth structure to be treated is now prepared or conditioned for the placement of the cervical filling.
This can involve one to three work steps. In the case of composites (plastic), this is necessary to achieve a firm bond between the filling material and the tooth. The area to be filled is first etched with diluted acid, then an adhesive or bonding agent is applied as a bonding agent and cured with a UV lamp.
Then composite is applied in thin layers, modelled according to the tooth shape and also cured under UV light. Once the filling is in place, excess material is removed with special drills and the neck of the tooth is polished to prevent food and food residues from sticking. A fluoridation of the treated tooth (e.g. with Elmex Gelee®) completes the cervical filling. You can find more information about composite fillings (plastic filling) here. The tightness of the filling margins and the integrity of the cervical filling should be checked during the annual or semi-annual dental check-up.
