If you've been told you have a cavity, you're not alone. Based on the latest reports from the dental sector, approximately half of children and teenagers and 90 percent of adults will have cavities at some point. Though cavities are a common problem, having one taken care of for the first time can be a bit frightening no matter how old you are. Understanding the process is the key to alleviating those fears and facing your treatment with confidence.

Getting Started

First, your dentist web.blogspot.com/2024/09/which-dental-problems-warrant-emergency.html">Idaho dentist will examine the affected tooth to determine how bad the cavity is and how much of the tooth is affected. In some cases, a tooth is too damaged by decay to be saved. In those instances, the dentist will most likely advise you to have the tooth pulled instead of trying to repair it. Most of the time, though, people with cavities can simply have their teeth filled. This is a relatively fast and simple process, and most people feel little discomfort if any.

Administering Local Anesthetic

After examining the tooth, your Idaho dentist will administer a local anesthetic to numb the tooth and the gums. This involves injecting numbing medication in the back of the mouth near where the jaw bones come together as well as in the area around the affected tooth. After a few minutes, you'll fee the anesthetic take effect. In fact, the entire side of your face may feel numb. That means you're ready to proceed.

Getting Rid of Decay

From there, your Idaho Falls dentist will drill away the decayed portion of the tooth. You may feel a little bit of pressure during this part of the treatment, but it's not painful. Once the decayed portion of the tooth has been removed, your dentist will clean the tooth and the area around it to remove any remaining bacteria and debris. He or she will also reexamine the tooth to be sure all of the decay has been removed.

Filling the Tooth

Then, the dentist will use a composite resin or amalgam to fill the area of the tooth that was drilled away. These days, most dentists use composite resin, but some still use amalgam in certain cases. Either way, the filling will need to harden. Amalgam fillings harden on their own whereas dentists use a curing light to harden composite resin fillings. After the filling hardens, the dentist will shape and polish it.

Facing Fillings With Confidence

Though having a tooth filled can be a scary thought, it's actually a simple, painless process. It generally takes around 30 minutes to an hour from start to finish. Fillings can last anywhere from seven years to more than 15 depending on the material the dentist uses. Having a cavity treated stops the decaying process and prevents resulting toothaches, and there's really nothing to fear when it comes to having a tooth filled.