Making a trip to the dentist for regular checkups is part of maintaining great oral health. However, cavities and other types of tooth decay problems are the results of consuming a lot of sugar-filled food and drinks, as well as not brushing and flossing your teeth regularly.
Even if you have a good oral hygiene routine, you may one day be in need of a temporary dental filling.
What Is A Temporary Dental Filling?
If you have a damaged tooth, there is a strong chance you will need some sort of tooth-filling procedure to fix the problem. For some people, their busy schedules mean that they only have time for a temporary solution.
A temporary dental filling is a temporary and quick solution to a bigger problem. While the filling material can change depending on this issue and the dentist, these temporary fillings are like a bandaid that is meant to protect the affected tooth from greater damage until you get the temporary filling replaced with a more permanent filling.
Typically, a dentist will numb the side of your mouth where the filling is set to be before using any dental drill. They will then remove any decay or perform a root canal treatment if the damage is deep. The filling agent is then applied to the tooth until the newly created space is full. A temporary filling for dental crowns or other circumstances may require additional steps.
In most cases, the delicate process does not cause any pain. After the tooth fillings, you might experience mild pain when the numbing agent wears off. If you experience severe or prolonged tooth pain after having the cavity filled, you might need emergency treatment. Be sure to consult your dentist about any issues.
The average cavity filling time with a temporary filling is about an hour.
There are also various types of temporary filling materials that are meant to help with different problems. Some of these include:
- Amalgam fillings: silver-colored, long-lasting filling that is usually used on your back teeth.
- Composite fillings: tooth-colored cavity fillings made from ceramic resin and are bonded to the area by your dentist.
- Glass Ionomer: this type of filling material releases fluoride which helps prevent tooth decay, but is somewhat weak and should only be used on baby teeth.
- Gold filling: gold-colored fillings that are very hard and long-lasting but more expensive.
Porcelain Filling: hard and long-lasting fillings that are colored to match the color of your natural tooth and are created to perfectly fit the prepared cavity.
How Long Does A Temporary Filling Last?
Because this type of filling is just temporary, it will not last forever as it will gradually break down over time. You will need to get it permanently fixed with a permanent solution. While some materials like gold and porcelain are longer lasting, they will still eventually need to get replaced and are more expensive.
Temporary dental fillings have different lifespans depending on a variety of factors. Some of these factors include the temporary filling material used, your eating habits, the amount of trauma to your damaged tooth, your oral hygiene routine, and if you grind your teeth.
In many cases, the average temporary cavity filler can last at least 6-8 weeks or a few months with the proper care but is dependent on any further damage or decay. A permanent filling can often last at least a decade. A follow-up appointment will ensure that you have information and directions when it comes to caring for your temporary filling.
How To Care For Your Temporary Dental Filling
Caring for your temporary filling is vital to making sure it lasts long enough and doesn’t cause further damage to your teeth. The type of filler material is also important to know as some are harder and more durable than others.
After the temporary filling procedure is complete, your dentist will tell you how to properly care for the filling. In many cases, you will be told to avoid chewing on the side of the mouth where the temporary filling is.
As well, you should be sure to floss and brush carefully and brush gently. Too much force can cause damage to the temporary filling and to the tooth itself.
For a few days (sometimes a few weeks), you should try to only eat soft foods instead of hard foods. You may also want to avoid very cold foods and sticky foods that can make your filling hurt.
If you have any temporary filling pain or if your temporary filling falls out unexpectedly, be sure to contact your dentist immediately.
Talk To Your Dentist: Dentistry On Wellington
In many cases, temporary fillings can be a band-aid solution while you wait for a permanent one. If you are in need of temporary tooth fillings or require permanent fillings, you can talk to one of our professional dentists at Dentistry in Wellington to find out the best temporary filling material for you.
Book an appointment with us today!
