What are dental fillings?
Dental fillings are used to repair lesions and defects in teeth – the body cannot do this itself. The fillings are intended to protect the teeth from further damage and restore chewing function.
Which material the dentist uses for filling therapy depends primarily on the condition of the tooth, the size of the defect and the chewing load on the tooth in question. Plastic filling materials such as amalgam or plastic fulfill different purposes than, for example, a ceramic filling. The latter, like gold fillings, is an inlay filling (inlays, onlays).
Amalgam filling
Tooth defects are very often filled with amalgam. This is a mercury-containing alloy that is very durable and resilient. However, amalgam fillings are often viewed critically due to the toxic mercury they contain.
You can read everything you need to know about the advantages and disadvantages of this type of dental filling in the article Amalgam filling.
Plastic filling
Plastic fillings are similar in color to teeth. They are therefore particularly suitable for defects on front teeth, but also on side teeth.
You can find out more about plastic as a dental filling material in the article Plastic filling.
Inlay
You can read more about the advantages and disadvantages of these fillings in the article Inlay.
When are fillings made?
If a tooth is affected by caries, it must be completely removed and the resulting hole closed with a dental filling. This is because caries bacteria can penetrate to the tip of the root – the part of the tooth furthest inside – and spread from here to the bones and soft tissues of the face. In the worst case scenario, the bacteria migrate through the blood into the entire body and can infect other organs. Caries should therefore always be treated.
As a rule, the costs of fillings are covered by health insurance. However, if special materials are used to make the tooth look as natural as possible, you may have to pay for the fillings yourself.
Temporary fillings
The dentist refers to a temporary filling as a temporary closure of a tooth defect, such as is necessary for root canal treatment or an inlay. Glass ionomer cement is often used for anterior and posterior teeth. This is a mineral cement that has been specially developed for dentistry.
What is done during a filling therapy?
Before the actual filling therapy, the doctor will ask you about your symptoms and any previous illnesses. He will also inform you about the treatment and possible risks.
He will then anesthetize the affected tooth so that the subsequent removal of the caries with drills, files or lasers is less painful. In some cases, he will have to create an additional cavity in the tooth to hold the filling. The cavity is dried and disinfected and then given a filling. This is intended to provide additional protection for the deep pulp. The filling material (e.g. amalgam) is now gradually inserted into the cavity until the defect is sealed. Any excess material is removed to achieve a natural masticatory effect. Finally, the surface of the filling is polished smooth.
If the tooth defect is very extensive, a so-called matrix – a plastic or metal band that is placed around the tooth in question – is applied for the filling therapy. It serves to shape the tooth and prevents the filling from spreading beyond the tooth.
What are the risks of dental fillings?
- Infections
- bleeding
- Injury to muscles, bones and nerves
- Damage to surrounding teeth
- Loss of the operated tooth
- Opening of the maxillary sinus
- Tooth root inflammation
In very rare cases, someone may have an allergic reaction to the material used for the filling, so that it has to be replaced.
What do I have to consider after a filling treatment?
You should not eat anything after the insertion of fillings while the anesthetic is working.
A feeling of pressure and slight pain in the first few days are completely normal. Many patients complain of toothache, especially at night. This is because more blood enters the head when lying down, causing the blood vessels to dilate – including those in the tooth area, so that they can press on the dental nerve. Cooling relieves the pain and prevents swelling and bruising after filling therapy.
If you experience increasing throbbing pain a few days after having fillings inserted, this may be due to inflammation of the tooth root. In this case, see your dentist as soon as possible.
