Dental fillings or tooth fillings are a dental technique that uses artificial materials to supplement missing tooth tissue. This method can be effective in both aesthetics and improving chewing function.

In addition to tooth filling due to tooth decay, which is a common cause, you may need to seek intervention from a dentist when a hole appears in your tooth. This method is often applied to the following cases:

1. Filling decayed teeth

Tooth decay is a condition in which holes appear in teeth. The cause is due to bacterial activity that accumulates when you eat sugary foods and do not care for your teeth properly.

If left untreated, the cavity caused by tooth decay will grow larger, leading to severe toothache, infection and tooth loss. Some signs of tooth decay you can recognize are:

• Tooth pain suddenly
• Teeth are sensitive
• Holes appear on teeth
• Tooth surface discoloration is brown, black or white
• Teeth hurt after eating, drinking hot, sweet, cold drinks...

When symptoms of tooth decay appear, the decayed tooth will need to be filled to fill the hole in the tooth crown, eliminate unpleasant symptoms and help restore the tooth's aesthetics.

2. Chipped teeth

Teeth can be cracked or chipped when you bite down on food or objects that are too strong or have a strong mechanical impact that affects the tooth structure.

If the crack is detected early, the dentist will perform a filling technique similar to when your tooth has a cavity. First, your teeth will be cleaned to remove bacteria, then a filling material will be placed in the chipped tooth.

3. Gap teeth

If your teeth are spaced, especially the front teeth are spaced, affecting aesthetics, you can rely on cosmetic dental fillings to shape your teeth. However, this method should usually only be applied if the gap is less than 2mm.

In case the gap is larger, the front teeth will look quite large and unbalanced after filling, so the dentist may advise you to switch to other techniques such as porcelain crowns or braces.

4. Fill your teeth to replace the old filling

Dental filling method is not a permanent technique. Over time, the filling will gradually wear down due to chewing activities and slowly peel off, or even fall out completely. Therefore, dentists will ask you to repeat the filling process.

How does the tooth filling process work?

There are two most common types of dental fillings today: direct and indirect fillings. Depending on each filling technique, the procedure will be different: 

1. Direct tooth filling process

Direct tooth filling is a simple tooth filling process and is applied to many dental conditions. This procedure usually only requires one appointment with the dentist to complete: 

• Examination and consultation: First, the dentist will examine the tooth area that needs filling, determine its size and advise you on some types of materials to use for the filling.
• Anesthetize and clean the area that needs filling: The dentist will give local anesthesia at the area where the tooth needs filling. In case of tooth decay, the cavity will be scraped clean with a specialized tool, while food debris or tartar will be removed.
• Filling: The dentist will pour the filling material into the cavity or the cleaned tooth position. Initially, the filling material is in liquid form, and after laser irradiation, it will gradually solidify in about 40 seconds through a photopolymerization reaction.
• Retouching the filling: The dentist will adjust the filling and remove excess filling material. Finally, the surface of the filling location will be smoothed and polished to prevent the teeth from becoming uncomfortable.

The direct dental filling process usually takes about 20 -30 minutes, varying depending on the tooth condition and filling material.

2. Indirect tooth filling process

Inlay - Onlay is a modern method that helps reduce the gap between the filling and the tooth tissue. The initial examination and anesthesia steps are similar to the direct filling method. The difference is that the dentist will start taking impressions of the teeth and make an external filling.

• Examination and consultation: First, the dentist will examine the tooth area that needs filling, determine its size and advise you on some types of materials to use for the filling.
• Anesthetize and clean the area to be filled: The dentist will give local anesthesia at the area where the filling needs to be performed. In case of tooth decay, the cavity will be scraped clean with a specialized tool, while food debris or tartar will be removed.
• Taking tooth impressions: After the teeth are cleaned, the dentist will take tooth impressions to shape the filling according to the correct shape and size of the hole. Usually, dental facilities will make an appointment for you in the next few days to continue completing the procedure.
• Attaching the filling to the tooth: After being crafted, the filling will be fitted tightly onto the tooth with specialized cement.

The indirect tooth filling process usually takes about two appointments with the dentist, each appointment lasting about 30 - 45 minutes.

Common dental filling materials

In addition to wondering what dental fillings are, many people are also curious about the types of materials used to fill teeth. There are many filling materials with a wide variety of materials, colors and prices. Each type will have certain advantages and disadvantages: 

1. Amalgam

Dental fillings with amalgam or silver fillings (the filling's color resembles a piece of silver) are a long-standing dental technique and have the lowest cost among current filling materials. Amalgam is a mixture of silver, tin, zinc, copper and mercury (accounting for nearly 50% of the mixture).

• Advantages: Amalgam material is very durable, can withstand chewing forces well and is also cheaper than other materials.
• Disadvantages: Aesthetically, filling with amalgam will make the area where the tooth is filled have a different color than the rest of the teeth, so it looks unnatural.

2. Fill teeth with composite

Tooth filling with composite materials, also advertised by many dentists under the name "nano ceramic coating", is a method that is aesthetically pleasing, highly effective and chosen by many people.

• Advantages: Composite material has an ivory color similar to that of natural teeth, so it is very suitable for use in easily visible tooth positions.
• Disadvantages: Composite fillings are usually not as durable as amalgam fillings, the filling only lasts an average of about 5 years, compared to 10 - 15 like amalgam fillings. Furthermore, with chewing effects, composite fillings will not be durable, especially if used to fill large cavities.

3. Porcelain

Inlay - Onlay porcelain tooth filling is also a popular technique today, suitable for cases of large chipped teeth, requiring more complex techniques.

• Advantages: Porcelain material has the same color as natural teeth, porcelain is also more resistant to stains and corrosion than composite materials. Teeth filled with porcelain can last for more than 10 years.
• Disadvantages: Higher cost than amalgam and composite materials. 

4. Gold fillings

Using tooth fillings made of gold or some other precious metals such as silver or copper will increase the strength of the fillings.

• Advantages: Gold can withstand large chewing forces and has the best durability. Gold metal also gives a luxurious look and will wear more slowly than other materials.
• Disadvantages: The cost of gold dental fillings is often more expensive than other materials. Normally, you will have to visit the dentist twice to have this filling method performed.

5. GIC material

GIC (Glass Ionomer Cement) is usually made from polyacrylic acid material and a component of glass called fluoroaluminosilicate.

• Advantages: GIC contains fluoride to help prevent tooth decay from getting worse. GIC material usually adheres very tightly to the tooth and minimizes cracking at the filling site.
• Disadvantages: The aesthetic factor of GIC material is not considered a top priority because the color is not the same as natural tooth color like composite materials.

Each filling material has its own advantages and disadvantages, so you need to consult your dentist before choosing the most suitable filling material for your teeth.

Pay attention when you fill your teeth

Below are some notes for you to dispel your worries about whether tooth filling is painful or the harmful effects of tooth filling, possible risks and how to take care of your teeth after filling.

Fillings hurt?

In most cases, fillings will take place very quickly and will not cause you any pain. However, depending on the condition of the damaged tooth, each person's constitution and the filling material, the pain may be different.

In cases of severe tooth decay or inflamed tooth pulp, before filling, the dentist needs to remove the pulp, so you will feel quite sensitive.

Problems after tooth filling

Although tooth filling is a commonly used technique, it does not mean that there are absolutely no side effects (also known as harmful effects of tooth filling). You should note some problems that may occur after filling to know how to handle them appropriately: 

1. Teeth are painful and sensitive

After completing the filling procedure, the tooth may be more sensitive to air, food or temperature. Usually, after a few weeks, the tooth will return to normal and you will not need pain medication.

If you feel pain when biting food, it may be due to a problem with the filling and you need to see a doctor immediately. If you feel pain when your teeth touch each other, it could be because you have had multiple fillings or the filling is rough and needs a dentist to fix it.

Sometimes, you may feel pain or sensitivity in the teeth surrounding the newly filled tooth. This condition may simply be because the newly filled tooth is sending pain signals to neighboring teeth and the pain will go away on its own after 1-2 weeks.

2. Reaction to filling material

After filling teeth, some people may experience one of the harmful effects of filling teeth: an allergy to the filling material.

Allergic reactions to silver fillings are possible but very rare. According to the American Dental Association (ADA), there have been less than 100 reported cases of reactions after silver fillings. In these cases, mercury or one of the metals in the silver filling amalgam is thought to be responsible for the allergic reaction. Symptoms of an allergy to silver fillings are similar to typical skin allergy symptoms such as rash and itching.

If you have a family history of metal allergies, it is advised that to avoid harmful effects of this tooth filling, you should discuss with your dentist in advance to find other more suitable filling materials.

3. Peeling fillings

Continuous pressure from chewing or grinding can cause the filling material to wear down, chip or peel. Changes in fillings that are not noticed can easily be overlooked, so you need to regularly check your fillings at home and follow a regular dental check-up schedule.

If the cushion between the tooth enamel and the filling is broken, food particles and cavity-causing bacteria can penetrate, making the risk of tooth decay worse. Some cases can progress to pulpitis or cause tooth abscess.

Caring for teeth after filling

If you want the filling to last a long time, the most important thing is to take care of your teeth properly after the filling is done at the dentist.

1. What should you eat and what should you not eat if you have just had a tooth filling?

For the first two hours after filling, you should not eat or drink anything to help the filling material reach the appropriate hardness and have time to adapt better to the tooth. You should avoid eating hard, chewy, or sticky foods for 2 days, especially if you have silver fillings.

If you experience tooth sensitivity, you should limit the use of foods and drinks that are too hot or too cold.

2. Protect the filling site

You should avoid biting too hard or grinding your teeth because it will put pressure on your teeth, causing the filling to easily peel. You can switch to chewing on the other side to give the filling more time to recover.

Therefore, to protect the filling as well as the entire tooth, you should not bite your nails or use your teeth to open box lids or tear food wrappers...

3. Clean the filling area

You need to brush your teeth with a soft-bristled toothbrush with moderate force to avoid causing wear. After eating, especially foods high in sugar, you should rinse your mouth immediately. If you don't have mouthwash available, you can drink lots of water and rinse your mouth with water.

You should come back for a check-up every 6 months to see if the filling is still strong and to check your general oral health.

Dental fillings are a common dental service that you can find at any dental facility. You should choose a quality dental center with highly skilled dentists and modern equipment, guaranteed to maintain long-term quality of the filling. In particular, don't forget to consult more information to better understand and feel more secure before performing this dental technique.