Cavity fillings are one of the most common dental procedures after teeth whitening. Over time, the cavity-filling procedure has evolved to the point that it is usually a non-invasive experience with a quick recovery time. Although easier, the process is also a cause of fear or anxiety for a lot of individuals.
Much of this fear stems from a lack of awareness. In reality, cavity dental fillings are safe and do not hurt. Of course, it may cause a little discomfort but the overall procedure is effective, safer, and does not hurt.
In this article, we will examine the cavity-filling procedure in more detail and determine whether it hurts. By the end, you will have a complete understanding of the process. Let’s have a look.
What is a Cavity and How Do Cavities Form?
Before moving on to the procedure, it is first important to understand the basics, that is, cavity formation. A cavity refers to the area in the tooth where bacteria have eroded through the hard protective layer of enamel. This can occur due to several reasons. For instance, cavities may develop if you don’t follow oral hygiene and do not brush and floss properly. It may also occur if you eat food containing a lot of sugars or processed carbohydrates.
Bacteria feed on this sugar and produce acids that slowly destroy tooth enamel and cause decay to penetrate the tooth. Consequently, this decay creates a hole in the tooth where food particles can lodge and make it difficult to clean.
Why Is It Important to Fill Dental Cavities?
As soon as you detect a cavity, it is important to go for a cavity filling procedure before it spreads and becomes more complicated to treat. It is important to remember that tooth decay occurs due to bacterial infection which only keeps on spreading deep into your tooth and to adjacent teeth if left untreated.
Does Filling a Cavity Hurt?
Cavity fillings are performed under local anesthesia. The numbing agent is used to keep you comfortable during the procedure. With a dental filling, the anesthetic agent is administered to the gums on both sides of the affected tooth and takes effect within a few minutes. A lot of dentists also use a numbing gel before injection so that you do not feel anything.
As the local anesthetic starts to work, you feel only a little pressure but not any pain. In case your tooth is still sensitive, the dentist will apply additional numbing gel. The anesthetic usually lasts for a few hours, which means that you will be back at home before the numbing agent begins to wear off.
You may experience some tenderness or soreness in your gums. It can be easily managed by taking an over-the-counter pain medication or rinsing with warm saltwater. Large dental fillings may be slightly sensitive to any temperature change as your tooth responds to being adjusted. However this goes away after a couple of days.
What Ascertains the Amount of Pain Following a Filling?
Dental cavities do not hurt, but the intensity of soreness can depend on a lot of factors, including:
Size and Depth of the Cavity
Tooth decay is a gradual process. It usually begins with white spots caused by small amounts of mineral loss and develops into cavities if left untreated. Smaller cavities are easier to treat, while deeper cavities may require a longer time to feel. In addition, deep cavities are also close to the tooth nerve endings and may cause more pain during the procedure.
Location of the Cavity
Cavities are of different types, viz., smooth surface cavities (side of the mouth), pit and fissure cavities (biting surfaces of molars), and root cavities (tooth root).
Small root cavities can be treated easily with anesthetic. On the other hand, large root cavities may expose the nerve endings, making them difficult to fill and causing some pain.
Number of Cavities
In the event that multiple cavities are located in the same region of your mouth, your dentist can recommend addressing them all at once. However, this may cause additional discomfort due to a longer procedure time.
Takeaway
Getting cavity fillings can be stressful. However, they do not always need to cause pain. Small cavities can be filled in less than 30 minutes with little to no discomfort. On the other hand, deeper cavities near the tooth roots can take more time to fill and cause some discomfort. In both cases, the dentists use a local anesthetic to make the process comfortable and reduce the pain and anxiety.
Get Your Cavities Filled With Zero to No Pain at Osseo Family Dentistry!
We understand that the cavity filling process can be overwhelming for many people. With our gentle approach and highly experienced dentists, we ensure that you have excellent anesthetic options to make the process easier for you.
Schedule an appointment with us today!
You can also contact us at (763) 425-2626.
Or visit us at 30 Central Ave, Osseo, MN 55369.