Tooth filling refers to the technology of restoring the shape and function of teeth with the help of artificial materials. It can be divided into broad and narrow definitions. What we usually call tooth filling (filling tooth holes) is a narrow definition of tooth filling, which mostly refers to the filling therapy of caries holes. In a broad sense, tooth filling refers to tooth repair, which includes inlay repair, veneer repair or crown repair in addition to filling therapy.
Applicable people
Dental fillings are suitable for different degrees of caries and tooth defects caused by various reasons.
Taboo group
1. Abnormal oral function, such as clenching teeth, grinding teeth at night, etc.
2. Those with poor oral hygiene and uncontrolled periodontal inflammation.
3. Patients with malignant tumors of the gums.
4. Patients with bleeding diseases.
5. People with active angina pectoris, myocardial infarction, hypertension, heart failure, diabetes, etc.
6. Patients with artificial pacemakers installed in their hearts.
7. Women during pregnancy and menstruation.
8. People with psychological disorders or mental abnormalities.
Technical/surgical risks
1. Toothache: During the filling process, the dental pulp is devitalized due to treatment needs. On the day or the next day after the devitalization drug is applied, toothache may occur due to the effect of the drug. This toothache after filling will not last long and will disappear on its own afterwards. Due to the treatment process of preparing the cavity for the filling or the stimulation of the dental pulp by disinfectants, short-term hot and cold stimulation pain may occur. Such situations do not require special treatment and generally recover on their own in 1 to 2 days. However, if the caries cavity is deep and the lining material used is too thin to block the hot and cold stimulation conducted by the silver-mercury alloy, symptoms of hot and cold stimulation pain may occur. If necessary, seek medical treatment as soon as possible.
2. Secondary caries: Loose edges, poor bonding, poor interproximal contact recovery causing food impaction, etc. can all cause secondary caries.
3. Pulpitis and pulp necrosis: The vitality of the pulp should be correctly judged before restoration. If the tooth is already suffering from chronic pulpitis, root canal treatment and crown restoration should be performed.
4. Edge staining: Loose edges, rough surfaces, poor bonding, or overhanging edges can easily cause plaque adhesion and edge staining of the restoration.
5. Gingivitis: The impact of restorations on periodontal health needs to be considered during tooth restoration, which is an important biological principle. Gingivitis after tooth restoration is usually caused by overhangs on the restoration edges, loose edges, rough surfaces, long edges, incorrect axial shapes, or poor interproximal contact causing food impaction, or residual adhesive on the interproximal surfaces irritating the gums.
6. The restoration becomes loose, falls off or breaks: The fracture of the restoration is often caused by excessive bite force or insufficient resistance of the restoration.
Postoperative Care
After the operation, attention should be paid to local care, diet adjustment and lifestyle behavior management.
1. Local care: Pay attention to maintaining oral hygiene. Clean your mouth by brushing your teeth in the morning and evening, rinsing your mouth after meals, and using dental floss to avoid food impaction. When brushing your teeth, avoid using a rough toothbrush to damage the restoration.
2. Medication care: Patients with gingivitis can use antibiotics under the guidance of a doctor to eliminate local inflammation.
3. Dietary adjustment: In your daily diet, you should reduce the intake of foods that are too hard, sticky, too cold or too hot.
4. Life behavior management: Pay attention to safety and avoid bumps and collisions of teeth.
Preoperative precautions
1. Communicate with doctors and patients, understand the complete treatment process and risks, and be mentally prepared.
2. Complete preoperative examinations, such as routine blood tests, coagulation function, four infection items, electrocardiogram, etc.
3. Cooperate with the doctor to check the defect of the affected tooth, the position of the pulp horn, the vitality of the pulp, the adjacent teeth (such as whether there is interproximal caries, the direction of the tooth axis, etc.), the opposing teeth and the occlusal contact.
4. Stop taking anticoagulants such as steroid hormones and aspirin 7 to 10 days before surgery.
5. Women should avoid filling teeth during their menstrual period and it is best not to do so during pregnancy.
Surgical Procedure
In a broad sense, tooth filling includes filling therapy, inlay restoration, veneer restoration, crown restoration and other methods. Here we mainly introduce tooth filling in a narrow sense, that is, cavity filling therapy. The operation of cavity filling therapy mainly includes cavity preparation, filling, polishing and other steps.