TREATMENT

Dental filling

Sometimes it's necessary to fill a tooth. The reason for this can be:

  • Cavity attack.
  • Trauma-damaged teeth.
  • Previously filled teeth where fillings have come loose.
  • Cracks in teeth that cause symptoms (for example sensitivity).
  • Fillings for aesthetic reasons.
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Dental filling

How a filling is done

When a tooth has been assessed to be filled, we usually start with anesthesia so that the treatment is painless.

When the tooth is anesthetized, we drill out the cavity attack until the tooth is completely cavity-free. In cases where it's not cavity, we may still need to drill into the tooth to create an optimal attachment for the filling.

After drilling is complete, it's time to fill the tooth. First, we usually put a form on the tooth to create a good shape for the filling so that it follows the tooth's contour. Then we acid treat the tooth, usually it's 38% phosphoric acid (20 seconds in enamel and 10 seconds in dentin). For the filling to adhere well to the tooth, we apply primer and adhesive to the tooth that acts as a bond between tooth and filling. We cure this with blue light so that it hardens so we can apply tooth-colored composite filling. Composite filling is applied in one or more layers depending on how big the hole is and is also cured with blue light.

After the tooth is filled, we also need to check that the tooth with the filling fits into the bite. We check this with a colored foil (occlusion foil) that gives off a color on areas that touch when biting together. Usually it needs to be adjusted and then we polish away these high points so that everything fits into the bite. When everything is as it should be, the filling is polished up so that it becomes shiny and nice like the rest of the tooth.

What can you expect afterwards?

Usually it's completely painless after a filling is done but sometimes the tooth can react with sensitivity and be a little sensitive to intake of, for example, cold water or hot food. It's normal and can take up to two weeks but gradually gets better day by day.

With composite fillings, you can eat immediately when you leave here, there are no restrictions. However, if you've received anesthesia, it's good to avoid chewing while you're anesthetized as it can be difficult to feel what you're biting on and then it's easy to bite your cheek or tongue.

If any sensitivity becomes persistent and doesn't go away over time or if the filling feels too high, it's time to see the dentist again for a check of the filling. The reason may be that it's difficult to feel that you bite as usual when you're anesthetized when we check the height of the filling.