Suffering from a painful cavity or severe tooth pain can be traumatizing for many patients, but they’re often just as upset by the prospect of potentially painful cavity fillings. In Webster, Dr. Tehila Cohen takes a different approach.
Some mild discomfort after a filling is common, but it is far less painful than if the tooth decay is allowed to reach the nerve. That circumstance is significantly more painful and may require a root canal or extraction.
Here’s what you need to know about the type of filling, why your cavity filling may cause you pain or discomfort, and what to expect at a gentle dental care practice.
Dental Fillings: What and How
Cavities are the area of a tooth that has experienced decay caused by the build-up of bacteria on the surface. The mouth is a breeding ground for stubborn bacteria.
When a cavity develops or if there is a need to have a filling replaced, your dentist must first clean your tooth. After applying a local anesthetic to ensure the patient is comfortable and numb, your dentist will remove any tooth decay and gently clean the area to prevent future cavities. Then your dentist will fill the area with the filling material to help reconstruct your tooth, restoring function and protecting it from further decay.
After the dentist cleans the decay and bacteria, the cavity will need to be filled. There are a few standard dental filling options.1
The first is tooth-colored fillings made of a composite resin, including glass or quartz filler that is suitable for front or back teeth.
Metal composite or silver fillings and gold fillings or inlays have both been in use for decades and centuries, respectively. However, dentists don’t generally recommend this filling material now that better materials are available.
Composite resin fillings are the most common and preferred at Empire Dental Care.
Cavity Fillings: Post-Procedure Pain
It is common to experience some discomfort after the local numbing wears off. Mild sensitivity immediately after the procedure is the most common but is usually gone after a few hours.
Inflammation After a Cavity Filling
Some inflammation is unavoidable after a dental procedure. Inflammation occurs when the nerve has been disturbed during the filling. Mild inflammation is completely normal. The more severe the original tooth decay, the more inflammation you may experience.
You may experience inflammation and discomfort for several days after a filling. Any longer than that, or if symptoms become acute, it may be time to revisit your dentist and seek additional treatment.
Filling Out of Alignment
If the new filling doesn’t align with surrounding teeth correctly, you may experience sensitivity when chewing or biting. If that’s the case, call your dentist as that misalignment has to be fixed.
Deep Pulp Inflammation
This is also known as “pulpitis” and is deep tooth inflammation that may cause extended sensitivity or pain. While not a common symptom, it can happen in the case of a broken tooth, severely deep decay, or after multiple fillings on the same tooth.
The Premier Dentist For Cavity Fillings In Webster Says, “Rest Assured!”
Dr. Tehila Cohen is an expert when it comes to gentle dentistry. She always ensures her patients are at ease by making the process as comfortable as possible.
Come see Dr. Cohen and her team at Empire Dental Care, the premier provider of cavity fillings in Webster! 585-271-1650
Sources:
[1] https://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/az-topics/d/dental-filling-options#