Maintaining good oral hygiene on a daily basis and visiting your dentist regularly for preventative care and cleanings are your best defenses against cavities and other dental health concerns. Sometimes these practices are not enough, and you will need to come into the office for repair. Tooth repair, such as filling a cavity or fixing a crack, is very common and does not take a long time in the dentist’s chair. You can be assured that your teeth will be back in good health as quickly as possible.
It is not unusual to need a filling sometime during your life, even if you practice good oral hygiene. Cavities can sneak in between teeth, inside the grooves of molars, and into the hard to reach areas of your mouth. Luckily, technological advances in dental procedures have made it easier and more convenient to damage or decay. Dental filling material lasts longer and looks more like the natural tooth than the materials dentists used to use for fillings. If the dentist has found a cavity during a routine exam or if you are having discomfort or sensitivity from tooth decay, it is time to schedule an appointment for a dental filling. Dental fillings follow the same process for the majority of cases. If you have any questions or concerns about getting a cavity filled, such as, “How long does it take to fill a cavity?” or “Does it hurt to get a filling?” just ask your dentist to go over the procedure with you in advance. By knowing what to expect, the procedure can help you put your fears to rest.
Although fillings for cavities are one of the most common types of dental repair, a cracked tooth is also a cause for concern. Many patients do not realize a tooth is cracked until the problem is discovered during a routine exam. In other cases, there are symptoms that point to the possibility of a cracked tooth and need to be analyzed.