Are Tooth Fillings Painful? Myths vs Reality Near You
With respect to hygiene in dentistry, patients frequently express concern about how much pain, if any, a dental filling near you causes. Many patients delay seeing the dentist because they are concerned about the potential discomfort of the procedures, including a filling. By knowing about the dental procedure, unconnected to the myths and with reassurance about the facts, patients usually feel relief and are treated sooner (which can lead to less complex and less invasive treatments).
Understanding Tooth Fillings
A filling is a simple dental procedure to repair a tooth damaged by decay, cracks, or simple trauma. The dentist removes the decayed portion of the tooth and fills the space with an appropriate material to restore its shape and strength. This simple procedure prevents further decay, tooth loss, and more extensive treatment down the road.
Even though it is a common procedure, the thought of pain often prevents patients from making an appointment. Many people think that filling a tooth will be incredibly painful. The truth is, modern dentistry has come a long way to make this creative and gentle process basically painless.
Common Myths About Tooth Filling Pain
Myth 1: Getting a Tooth Filled Is Really Painful
It’s true, when you hear drilling into a tooth, that just sounds yucky, and understandably so! Dentists always use local anesthesia to numb the area they are going to work on. Patients generally feel little discomfort, and often only mild pressure or vibration. Most patients feel no pain at all!
Myth 2: Fillings Can Cause Pain That Lasts a Long Time
Many patients think that the filling will create pain afterwards, and some do feel sensitivity to hot and cold after the filling, which is normal. Sensitivity usually lasts for only a few days though, especially for larger cavities that have a metal filling. A follow up appointment and good follow-up care will help to reduce discomfort.
Myth 3: Only Large Cavities Need to Be Repaired
Save yourself aggravation and receive your individual fillings. Spaces that started as small cavities benefit from prompt fillings. If you have a small cavity which you don’t address, the cavity may grow larger, and the crazy thing about teeth is that if things become more extensive, you are risking more complicated treatment. All the other options, other than fillings, are more painful than a simple filling!
What You Can Expect During the Procedure
Before starting the procedure, your dentist will numb the area with a local anesthetic, making it nearly painless. Once the decayed tooth material is removed, the dentist cleans the cavity and fills it with the selected filling material, which may be composite resin, amalgam, porcelain, or other material. After placement of the filling material, it will be shaped and polished to match your natural tooth.
The entire filling process will usually not take long, typically lasting 20 to 60 minutes, depending on the tooth being treated and the size of the cavity. After the filling is completed, your tooth may feel just slightly different or be sensitive, which is temporary. If you follow your dentist’s care instructions, you should have a seamless recovery and a long-lasting filling.
How to Reduce Anxiety About Tooth Fillings
Finding a good dental practice in your area can help alleviate anxiety. Many dental practices including dental fillings Weymouth focus on your comfort and utilize up to date tools to make the procedure quicker and calmer. Being listened to, being treated gently, and having everything explained to you will help alleviate anxiety and fear.
There are a few practical things you can do to help manage anxiety leading up to and during your appointment- for example deep breathing, bringing headphones to listen to music during your appointment, or asking for a break during treatment. Remember, addressing tooth decay sooner rather than later will always make the procedure easier and more comfortable for you.
Conclusion
Don’t let fear of pain keep you from taking care of your smile. If you see evidence of tooth decay, call and schedule an appointment right away with Weymouth Dental Arts in order to have tooth decay treated in a timely manner. Your oral health matters, and catching problems early will prevent unwanted dental concerns after the fact.