Dental Fillings in Mundaring

Plaque, a sticky material that sticks to teeth, causes tooth decay. Plaque is a combination of bacteria, saliva acid, and food particles.

We all carry bacteria in our mouths. Bacteria in your mouth convert sugar into acid after eating or drinking sugary foods. Plaque begins to build on your teeth immediately after you consume anything sweet. This is why it is essential to brush your teeth regularly. 

Plaque stays on your teeth, and the acid in plaque can damage tooth enamel over time. Enamel is a firm, protective layer that protects your teeth from deterioration. The risk of decay grows as your tooth enamel worsens.

Cavities affect everyone, although some people are more susceptible than others. Common causes of tooth decay include:

1. Consuming an excessive amount of sweet or acidic foods and beverages.
2. Bad oral hygiene habits, such as not brushing or flossing daily.
3. Insufficient fluoride consumption.
4. Dry mouth.
5. Eating disorders, such as anorexia and bulimia.
6. Acid reflux condition can cause stomach acid to damage your dental enamel.

Let’s have a glance at some of the most prevalent reasons why dental fillings are necessary.

Cavities

Cavities are by far the most common reason for a filling. The longer tooth decay goes untreated, the more difficult and expensive it is to repair. Thus, it is critical to have a filling when your dentist advises it.

Teeth sensitivity

At some point in their lives, everyone has tooth sensitivity. If you have had severe symptoms of sensitive teeth for a long time, a filling may be required to cover up the sensitive spots.

Chipped tooth

Tooth fractures can range from mild chipping to severe root and tooth fractures. Furthermore, dentists frequently use fillings to restore the shape of the tooth.

Dental erosion

Dental erosion is irreparable tooth deterioration caused by chemicals. Dentists will sometimes use white filling materials to restore tooth enamel loss.

Assume you go in for a checkup, and your dentist discovers tooth decay. Or perhaps you’ve developed a minor toothache. You may be wondering how quickly a cavity must be checked or if it may be ignored. As the stages show, neglecting a cavity untreated can have significant consequences. The infection could be severe and potentially fatal at the stage where an abscess occurs.

When it comes to managing a cavity, the answer is simple: the earlier, the better. If bacteria penetrate the enamel’s initial protective layer, tooth decay can proceed quickly. Tooth decay can spread unpredictably. By leaving a cavity untreated, you put yourself at risk of infection.

The treatment will be more extensive as the cavity progresses. Early detection of a cavity saves time, money, and pain. It is better to deal with a cavity when it is still a small problem.

Dental fillings are a standard dental treatment that usually takes 15 to 60 minutes and only involves one visit to the dentist. The procedure is as follows:

1. A local anesthetic will be injected into the surrounding area to numb it. Before the injection, we may apply a numbing gel to the gums to reduce discomfort. If the tooth only has minor decay, we may not need an anaesthetic. A small hole can be drilled around the damaged natural tooth enamel without causing pain.
2. When the anesthetic has worn off, the decaying parts of the tooth will be removed with a drill, laser, or air abrading equipment. We will then ensure that the decayed tooth’s hole is the correct size and shape.
3. We will clean the bacteria and food particles from the cavity before placing the filling to ensure that everything is clean and sterile.
4. Following that, the cavity will be correctly managed with a dental filling. The dental fillings are then bonded to the teeth.
5. After the filling has been set, it will be precisely contoured and polished to match the colour of your natural teeth.

Having a cavity filled might be uncomfortable, but it does not necessarily have to be painful.

Small surface cavities can be filled in about 30 minutes with no discomfort. Deeper cavities near the tooth’s pulp may be more painful and require a longer time to fill.

There are lots of options for the filling used and the type of anesthetic required. Consult your dentist about the best options for you.

Dental fillings are widely regarded as one of the least costly dental procedures. Simple fillings usually cost around $150 to $200, whereas more complex fillings may cost between $298 and $389.

Most dental insurance policies include fillings as routine maintenance. However, the amount of coverage they provide is determined by various criteria, including your deductible and level of coverage. Saving money on dental fillings and other dental care is possible with dental insurance.