We all tend to get a little bit nervous when the time for a dental appointment finally comes, but should it really be like that? Knowing what to expect can be a huge fear-reducing factor, and we all know that due to fearsome people don’t even visit the dentist in the first place, which is later on a cause for large medical problems.
It’s normal to be afraid of things you don’t understand. Actually, according to studies and many famous philosophers’ thoughts, we are only afraid of what we don’t understand. For the dentist, it’s quite strange to see someone being afraid of something they do on a daily basis. Needless to say, it’s a lot better if you know what to expect for the upcoming session, and that’s exactly what we’re here to help you with.
Besides, knowing what to expect is not only related to reducing your anxiety. Understanding what the dentist will do to your teeth is crucial for further treatment, knowing what to avoid, when to eat, etc…
It all begins with a careful examination of your problem
This is the least scary part of the procedure, although we really want to encourage you that nothing is actually scary, you are left in the hands of a professional, so why not relax instead? During the examination phase, all the dentist does is using a small mirror-like tool to inspect the potentially damaged areas in your teeth. Then, they will determine whether you need fillings or not.
The other tools a dentist might use during this phase are the x-ray device and the special dye ingredient which is used to expose decayed areas much easier. Another metal instrument may also be used and it has the purpose of testing how strong some parts of your teeth are. Worry not, it doesn’t hurt even the slightest bit.
And, before we get into how the filling procedure goes and what exactly happens then, in case you need more information about dental fillings, visit https://www.healthcarebusinesstoday.com/key-facts-to-know-about-dental-fillings.
The process of applying dental fillings to your teeth
In case the dentist decides it’s crucial to get fillings, you’ll be given an appointment for which you need to prepare about half an hour beforehand, but don’t worry, it’s not time-consuming and you certainly don’t need to avoid eating food or engage in fasting. Simply brush your teeth and floss twenty to thirty minutes before arriving at the dentist’s office.
If you are one of those with great dentist anxiety, it’s better to schedule as early in the morning so you can get it done as soon as you get out of bed. Once again, there’s nothing to worry about, but some people are just nervous by nature.
How long does this procedure last?
Well, it really depends on a few factors. First, how many teeth your dentist needs to fill. Then, how damaged are those teeth? If they’re not damaged a lot, or it’s just one tooth that needs filling, the procedure will most likely last less than thirty minutes. So, you can get this done before work since it’s not too lengthy. “But what about the pain?” – You’re probably asking. There’s no pain because the dentist will use the following things to numb your area completely and make you feel more comfortable. Let’s take a look.
Pain-numbing effects and other methods of relaxation
If the dentist needs to perform “heavy duty” work such as teeth removal, they use a local anesthetic. Receiving the anesthetic hurts less than being bit by a mosquito, and we all know that most of the time we don’t even feel when that happens, so there’s nothing to worry about.
And, if you are nervous even about that slight “mosquito bite”, the dentist can use a topical gel that doesn’t need to be injected by a needle in any sort of way. In the absolute best-case scenario for you, the dentist will also use something called a laughing gas which you are probably familiar with thanks to all those funny YouTube videos people make while under the effect of it. This makes you more comfortable and also removes any pain if there’s any accompanied to the procedure.
So when does the filling come?
A few minutes after the anesthetic “kicks in”, your doctor will begin the tooth-filling procedure. First, the decayed area gets removed and then the tooth is ready to be filled. A combination of a few different materials will be used because of bonding-purposes. For example, adhesive material helps the composite material apply better, and a few common examples for this are resin and amalgam. Since this is a rather delicate part of the process, the dentist will probably call their assistant to help. They’ll finish the task with great precision and you’ll be done in no-time.
Depending on the size of the decayed area in your tooth, your dentist will have to repeat this process a few times until the hole is basically filled up to the top. About a minute later the material will harden but you’ll be given a few instructions on how long you need to avoid food just to make sure everything is sealed-off properly.
The last few minor corrections
Chances are your dentist will finish this task perfectly and you won’t need to go through any more procedures, but just to be sure, they’ll put your fillings through a few more tests. One of these tests is biting on a semi-hard material with the purpose of determining whether the filling is too high or not. Then you’ll be given a few instructions on how to take care of the fillings and whole, you’ve just improved your oral health and it wasn’t scary even the slightest bit.
Conclusion
Knowing what to expect during your dental filling appointment is a crucial thing for getting over anxiety and beating your fear completely. We explained it all in today’s article so make sure to check it out and remember to take care of yourself. We’re thankful for the time you took to read this article.
