Fillings!

[QueenOfWeeds]

I’m having my first ever filling in a few weeks. What should I expect? I’ve had a google but it isn’t very helpful, other than not eating for 2 hours after.

It’s a private/NHS practice, and I’m having the white composite fillings on two of my back teeth (same side). They said to allow 45 mins or so?

During or after?

Sorry, they said 45 mins for the appointment. I’m assuming they’ll give me more guidance when I get there, but what should I expect to happen during the actual appointment?

Firstly the dentist will anaesthetise you. It takes 2-3 jabs to numb a tooth and you're having two teeth done so there might be quite a few injections. But don't worry, the anaesthetic takes effect very quickly so while the first injection may sting, you won't feel much from the others.

Next the dentist will try tapping on your teeth to see if you are fully numb. They should tell you to raise your hand if you feel any pain during the filling. You shouldn't feel pain if you are properly numbed up, and if you're not the dentist can give some more anaesthetic.

Then the dentist will put a drill into your mouth and remove the decayed tooth material. The noise sounds horrible and it feels like it takes forever but it is over quite quickly.

Then the dentist will fill the teeth, seal the filling and file any excess. You may be asked to bite down onto a slice or grind your teeth together to check the filling is the right size.

And that's it done. Afterwards, don't eat for a few hours (dentist will tell you how long) avoid hot drinks while your mouth is still numb (you risk burning yourself) and be careful not to bite your tongue or sides of your mouth. You shouldn't feel pain once the anaesthetic wears off.

Thank you so much @HappyAxolotl, that’s exactly what I was after.

DH just said vaguely “they’ll numb it first” and looked a bit bemused.

Firstly the dentist will anaesthetise the teeth. If it is a bottom tooth it will take one injection near the back of the mouth. If is a top tooth it will need one injection per tooth on the cheek side of each tooth.

if it is a bottom tooth the dentist will ask if the lower lip has gone fat and numb, if an upper tooth the dentist usually just has to wait a few minutes.

the dentist will then use a drill which sprays water to cut into the tooth and the nurse will use an aspirator to suck out as much water as possible. The dentist will then use a second drill to remove the decay and prepare the cavity. That drill doesn’t use water but the dentist will then need to rinse out the cavity to remove any debris.

The dentist will then isolate the tooth either by using a rubber dam or cotton wool rolls and then apply a coloured gel to the tooth surface. After about 30 seconds the gel will be rinsed off. A bond will be painted on the tooth and a bright blue light will be shone onto the tooth. The dentist will then place the filling, small amounts at a time, shining the light between each amount.

The dentist will then get you to bite on a bit of coloured paper and will then finish shaping and polishing the tooth using the drill with water.

it is normal for the filling to feel a bit strange at first because of the numbness. When the numbness wears off it is normal to feel some sensitivity- even pain if the filling was deep this should be controllable with painkillers and should ease off after a couple of weeks.

You should be able to eat on it straight away.

Thanks @RobinHumphries :).

Does it feel strange when the water is used? I’ve had impressions taken for retainers when I was younger and have strong recollection of the sort of gagging/choking on saliva sensation.

I’ve never been scared of the dentist before but I am starting to see why people are.

No, it's very different to having retainer impressions done

The water is to keep the drill bit cool and the nurse will suction so you don't gag