Fillings and Root Canal Therapy
Filling Treatment
Dental fillings are used to repair various types of damage in teeth. The most common reasons for dental fillings are tooth decay, wear, or chipping of the tooth. Dental fillings can also be used to repair old fillings or correct minor aesthetic flaws in teeth. A decayed tooth is filled when the decay, or caries, has penetrated through the enamel into the dentin, and the progression of the damage cannot be stopped by other means. It is important to fill a decayed tooth. If the decay progresses deeper from the dentin into the pulp of the tooth, the pulp becomes inflamed, and the tooth must undergo root canal treatment before filling. A tooth that is filled in time stops the progression of caries bacteria deeper into the tooth pulp. If left untreated, the inflammation of the tooth pulp can spread to the bone surrounding the tooth and from there to other parts of the body.
Procedure of Filling Treatment
The tooth filling process begins with the removal of the damaged tooth tissue. The dentist removes the damaged tissue by drilling. This removal may cause unpleasant sensitivity, which is why the dentist often numbs the tooth before starting the procedure. After removing the damaged tissue, the tooth is treated with a disinfectant and special bonding agents to ensure that the filling material adheres to the tooth. The bonding agents are allowed to act on the tooth’s surface for a moment. Then, the filling material is placed where the tissue was removed. Once the filling material is attached to the tooth, it is shaped to fit the bite and mimic the natural contours of the tooth. Afterwards, the filling is polished to a smooth finish.
Filling Materials
In choosing the material for tooth filling, factors such as the color of the filling, durability, size, and location of the area to be filled in the mouth are considered. It is advisable to discuss the benefits, properties, and costs of different filling materials with the dentist.
The most common tooth filling material is composite resin. Composite resin is a tooth-colored filling material that can be used in many different situations and is often the most affordable option for the customer. A composite resin filling can be completed in one dental visit, and the procedure to make it is quick. Practically, the filling is hardened with light and is immediately ready for use.
Ceramic Fillings and Crowns
Ceramic fillings and crowns are durable and beautiful. A ceramic filling feels smooth and closely matches the natural enamel of the tooth. Ceramic fillings withstand the stress caused by biting significantly better than regular composite resin fillings, making them a popular choice especially for the back areas of the mouth, molars, and as a repair material for root-canaled teeth. Ceramic fillings are an excellent option when a lot of natural tooth tissue is missing and the filling is required to be highly durable. In terms of durability, ceramic fillings are especially suitable for individuals who grind their teeth.
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Book an appointment from the appointment calendar or call us:
tel. 010 339 0777
ogadent.info@gmail.com
Root Canal Treatment
Root canal treatment is needed when the pulp of a tooth, which is the innermost part, becomes inflamed. The most common cause of pulpitis, or inflammation of the tooth pulp, is untreated and advanced tooth decay. The decay, or carious lesion, has penetrated through the dentin to the normally sterile pulp, inflaming the tissue that contains the tooth’s nerves and blood vessels. The tooth may also have become necrotic as a result of the inflammation.
Other causes of pulp inflammation can include extensive chipping of the tooth or trauma to the tooth, such as a blow or accidental breakage. Excessive biting pressure can also inflame the tooth pulp.
A tooth may require root canal treatment even if it appears intact and healthy on the outside. A common indication for root canal treatment is throbbing pain in the tooth, which can also wake a person up at night. The tooth may react painfully to cold and hot, and be sensitive to biting or tapping. Sometimes the need for root canal treatment is discovered incidentally on an X-ray, as a necrotic tooth does not always cause symptoms.
Regular dental check-ups are therefore very important. Usually, a decayed tooth only causes symptoms when the dental pulp signals inflammation, and by then root canal treatment is often necessary.
Sometimes a dental infection can spread to other parts of the body through the bloodstream, potentially causing, for example, sepsis or endocarditis. Dental infections are a risk factor for many general diseases, and an untreated mouth is often linked to heart attacks and strokes.
Procedure of Root Canal Treatment
Root canal treatment is aimed to be painless with anesthesia and usually requires about 2-3 visits to the dentist. The main goal of root canal treatment is to clean, disinfect, and fill the tooth pulp and root canals so that bacteria cannot re-colonize them. The purpose of the root filling is to block the “gate” for bacteria from the oral cavity to the rest of the body.
The crown part of the tooth is drilled open to access the tooth pulp and its root canals. The root canals are flushed with disinfecting solutions. At our clinic, the root canals are also disinfected with a laser. The cleaned root canals are then filled with a bactericidal medication, which is allowed to act in the root canals for a few days. A temporary filling is also placed in the tooth during the treatment.
Afterwards, a root filling is placed in the root canals, and a permanent filling is made on the tooth. A ceramic filling is recommended for a root-canaled tooth, as a treated tooth is more fragile than a living tooth.
At Ogadent, root canal treatments are performed using the latest technology. Root canals are mechanically instrumented using endodontic files, with effective laser light used for disinfection. A root-canaled tooth is X-rayed and monitored during regular dental check-ups. More challenging root canals and retreatments are referred to a specialist dentist if necessary.