Did you know that dental amalgams, the material used for dental fillings in Dubai and throughout the world have existed since a long long time.
It’s been more than 150 years in America and it still remains the same since their incarnations.
This guide will help you finding all the answers you need to figure out about the dental fillings, its various types as well as its aftercare.
So, let’s not wait and get started!
What Are Dental Fillings?
In order to treat a cavity in your teeth, your dental expert would remove the certain portion of your tooth that has a decay in it in a dental clinic.
After removing the decay from your teeth, your dental expert would then fill the area of your tooth that was previously having the decay.
We call this procedure as dental filling and use it for the purpose of repairing teeth that have holes or cracks in them.
We can also treat the teeth that have wearing and tearing in them because of the misuse such as, teeth grinding or nail-biting.
Symptoms that You Need a Dental Filling
If you go for regular dental checkups, it would be easier to locate the cavities earlier.
The sooner you go for treating a cavity, the better the outcome.
Moreover, the procedure will be comparatively lesser invasive and cost-effective at the same time.
So, going for regular checkups and consultations is a wise investment to make, right?
Usually, there are few warning signs that indicate that you’re having a cavity and need to get it treated.
These mostly include:
- Sensitivity towards certain food items having different temperature
- Having continuous pain in your tooth
- A pit or a hole in your tooth
- Sensitivity towards sugary drinks as well as foods
- Having a stain on the surface of your tooth that is either white or dark in color
Moreover, if you suspect that you have a cavity, you must go for a consultation session.
A team of dental experts will help you determining whether you need to go for a treatment or a filling.
How Long Does It Take To Get The Dental Fillings?
Tooth fillings is one of the most common procedures and it basically involves a repair job.
The purpose is to fix the damage that has been done by the tooth decay.
Moreover, the procedure is painless and it generally takes around an hour.
In US as well as Dubai, the problem of dental caries is quite common.
Moreover, as per the National Institutes of Health, around 92% of the adults in US between the age range of 20 to 64 years were having a cavity.
A dental filling would help preventing your tooth from any further decay.
It will also allow your teeth to function in a normal manner.
If you want to know more about what to expect or if you want to opt for the dental filling, keep on reading.
What To Expect?
The procedure for dental fillings in Dubai is not very elaborative and is very simple in fact. It is a highly recommended procedure to treat cavities.
To begin with, your dental expert will examine your oral cavity.
Afterwards, he’ll use specific dental instruments in order to check your oral cavity.
They might take an X-ray showing all the details of your tooth in order to observe the extent of damage that’s been done as well as the decay.
Afterwards, he will be using a local anesthesia to prevent any sort of pain or to numb a certain area.
Once the area of your teeth is numb, your dental expert will most likely be using a dental drill in order to drill through the enamel.
This will also help to remove the decay.
Moreover, sometimes we use a laser or an air abrasion tool but these techniques are a bit rare.
Afterwards, your dentist will be sterilizing and preparing the area in your tooth for the purpose of filling the hole with filling material.
Moreover, we use blue wavelength light for some certain types of fillings to make them hard or to cure them.
Finally, your dental expert would be polishing your teeth and would check them to make sure that there is no issue of bite.
Once the effect of numbing fades away, your tooth might feel a little sensitivity or soreness.
However, you shouldn’t be feeling any sort of pain after the filling.
You would need to avoid very cold or very hot foods as well as drinks for at least a day or two, but for most of the part, you can eat like usual.
Types of Dental Fillings in Dubai
Your dentist will be discussing the details of various materials that can serve the purpose of filling your cavity.
Furthermore, some of the options that we use most widely include the materials listed below:
Silver-Color Fillings
These are metal amalgams that uses a combination of the following materials:
- Silver
- Mercury
- Copper
- Tin
This type of material is even more durable than the tooth-color fillings.
Moreover, these are comparatively more affordable at the same time.
However, some people share their concern about the content of mercury but there’s no clinical evidence so far which proves that amalgam fillings are harmful in any way.
Composites (Tooth-Color Fillings)
The materials used for this type of fillings include:
- Quartz particles
- Glass particles
- Acrylic resins
Moreover, this is the type of fillings that is quite durable as well as cost-effective at the same time.
Gold Fillings
This type of dental fillings comprises of the following material:
This is one of the most durable types but the most expensive at the same time.
Moreover, these don’t look very natural and are usually made in a lab after taking impression of your tooth.
Glass Ionomer Fillings
These also match the color of your teeth but aren’t as durable as the composites.
The material that are normally used in the making of this type of dental fillings in Dubai include:
- Acrylic
- Types of glass containing fluoride
This can help preventing cavities as well.
Moreover, these are most commonly used for children and are comparatively more expensive than amalgam fillings.
Porcelain Fillings
When it comes to the expense, this type is almost as expensive as gold fillings.
However, it looks very natural and is made in lab on custom basis.
Common FAQs Regarding Dental Fillings
There are some commonly asked questions when it comes to dental fillings which we’ll try to cover in the next section.
To get your answers, keep on reading!
How Long Does Healing Take?
Most of the fillings heal very quickly without any problem.
Moreover, after the effect of anesthesia fades away, your tooth might feel sensitivity for a while but this also goes away in a day or two.
Furthermore, there are a few steps you may take in order to reduce the sensitivity:
- Chewing on food from the other side of your mouth for a few days
- Avoid hot or cold drinks as well as foods
- Reduce intake of acidic foods
- Brush and floss your teeth more gently than you would usually do (specially around the filling)
- Use a toothpaste having a component for the purpose of desensitization
- Intake of a drug that is nonsteroidal as well as anti-inflammatory (NSAID)
Moreover, if you feel that pain or sensitivity is prolonging, inform your dental expert right away.
Your dentist will fix the problem by filling the surface.
This will also help to improve your bite.
Does Dental Insurance Cover the Cost of Dental Fillings in Dubai?
Most of the plans for dental insurance cover the cost of dental fillings up to the price of silver fillings.
However, it may vary from case to case depending on the needs of the client.
Therefore, you must consult your dental team about the exact cost for the procedure.
What Are The Steps for Aftercare?
In order to maintain a dental filling, there are a few steps you may take:
- Follow a good oral hygiene
- Visit your dentist on regular basis
- Brush your teeth using a fluoride toothpaste
- Flossing on regular basis
- Using an antibacterial mouthwash at least once a day
- In case, the sides of filling don’t fit against your tooth, inform your dentist beforehand so that he take X-rays in order to assess the situation of your teeth.
- Moreover, if you notice a crack in your fillings, if there’s a sharp edge, or if a piece of the filling goes missing, book an appointment with your dentist right away.
Are Dental Fillings Durable?
How long does your filling last mostly depends on the hygiene level of your oral cavity and how much you take care of it.
If you take care of your dental hygiene diligently, it can help extending the lifetime of your filling.
Moreover, the materials used in the process of fillings also determine the level of their durability.
Since, everyone has a different lifestyle, so the timeframes for which dental fillings can last vary from person to person.
- Amalgam fillings may last for 5 to 25 years
- Gold fillings usually last for 15 to 20 years
- Composite fillings last for around 5 to 15 years
So, this pretty much sums all about dental fillings, their types as well as their aftercare.
If you found this blogpost useful, don’t forget to check our blogs that may help you finding the answers for the queries relevant to dental issues.
We also offer the services of implants, invisalign, veneers as well as root canal treatment.
To avail the services, you may contact at our official number and book your appointment today.
