How Many Dental Fillings Can Be Done At Once?

Tooth cavities are common problems for kids, teenagers, and adults. When you have a cavity, there will be a hole in your tooth that exposes the nerves in the inner part of the tooth. As a result, you will experience toothache, sensitivity, and pain when biting or chewing. Dental fillings are one of the methods dentists use to treat cavities and restore a tooth.

Dentists use dental fillings in Forty Fort, PA, to prevent further tooth deterioration. The fillings create a barrier for the exposed part of the tooth against harmful oral bacteria and plaque. This process involves removing the decayed portion of the tooth and restoring it using the fillings.

People who require multiple fillings often ask how many tooth fillings can be done at once. Technically, there is no limit to the number of filling you can get in one session. However, dentists do not recommend having more than three fillings at a time.

Your mouth needs time to heal after the dental fillings procedure. Therefore, several fillings will make it harder for you to eat during the healing process. Besides, it takes about an hour to fill each tooth. So, you cannot have several fillings at once as it is uncomfortable to open your mouth for many hours. But, a dentist in Forty Fort, PA can place four fillings if the cavities are in the same place.

Types of Dental Fillings

There are different types of filling materials that a dentist uses to restore teeth. The filling material used depends on the extent and location of decay, the dentist’s recommendations, and the budget. Your dentist may opt for gold, porcelain, glass ionomer, amalgam, or composite fillings. They restore your teeth through different methods giving you a beautiful smile.

The most popular type of dental fillings in Forty Fort, PA, is composite fillings. Their ceramic material is customized to resemble the color of your original tooth, giving it a uniform look. Composite fillings are therefore well suited for front teeth restorations. In addition, they bond to the tooth structure providing further support for decayed, worn, broken, or chipped teeth.

The procedure for placing composite dental fillings typically lasts approximately 20-30 minutes. First, the dentist will administer a local anesthetic and sedative if needed to prevent pain and anxiety. Next, this dental expert will remove the decayed parts of the tooth and thoroughly clean the area.

The filling is then fabricated based on the shape of the tooth and the area to be filled. Finally, the dentist in Forty Fort, PA will place the filling on the tooth, bonding it to the tooth using a special light. Shaping and ensuring a comfortable bite are the last steps of the procedure.

Benefits of Dental Fillings

1. Dental fillings are a long-lasting method of restoring teeth. Composite fillings can last for a decade, while gold fillings can be effective for more than two decades. They protect your tooth and help them function properly for a long time.
2. Composite resin fillings are customized to resemble the natural shade of your teeth. Therefore, they blend well with the rest of the teeth in your mouth, giving them a natural appearance.
3. Dental fillings made of glass ionomer provide additional protection against cavities. They release fluoride onto the teeth and gums. Glass ionomer fillings are commonly used for individuals whose teeth are decayed beneath the gum line. Dentists also recommend them for pediatric patients.
4. The restorations have more functions than filling cavities in teeth. Indirect fillings repair teeth that are broken or cracked. They strengthen them to continue functioning correctly.
5. Dental fillings in Forty Fort, PA, are used to prevent infections during complex procedures such as root canals. The dentist in Forty Fort, PA places temporary fillings on the exposed part of the tooth. They allow the nerves to relax and the gums to heal without infections.
6. They improve the tooth’s function by restoring it to its proper shape. The dental fillings procedure involves treating the decay to stop the pain and discomfort.

Do not live with a decayed or damaged tooth. Instead, contact our dental professionals at NEPA Dental West for dental fillings. We use various fillings to restore teeth and perfect our patient’s smiles. Our experts also provide other dental restorations. They include crowns, bridges, and root canals.