A cavity basically occurs when the hard surface of your tooth is damaged. This damage further develops into a hole. It is the most common type of tooth decay. Cavities are often caused as a result of bacteria that builds up in the mouth due to unhealthy eating habits and not taking enough care of your teeth.

The visible signs of a cavity typically occur when the cavity has developed considerably; hence, you might not notice a cavity until it is too late. However, if you happen to detect a cavity at its early stage, you may be able to reverse tooth decay and there would be no need to fill the cavity. On the other hand, if a cavity is detected at a stage where it has already started doing harm to the tooth and its effects cannot be reversed, treating and filling it up will become a necessity. The process of filling cavities is a fairly simple one and it can easily be done at your dentist’s office.

The ideal time needed by your dentist to fill a cavity is about an hour. The first step in doing so involves injecting an anesthetic into your mouth to numb your gums, teeth and the surrounding skin so as to provide ease and reduce any discomfort caused until the completion of the process. Once this is done, the dentist will drill out the decay in your tooth and replace it with a filling which concludes the whole process. Your mouth might probably remain numb for a few more hours. There aren’t any risks associated with the process of filling cavities.

There is a huge variety of materials used for filling cavities – right from gold, silver amalgam, porcelain and tooth-colored filling material to special types of glass and ceramic fillings. The selection of a suitable filling depends upon the patient’s budget and aesthetic preferences. Every filling material varies in strength and color. A few commonly used filling materials are

Amalgam fillings
Amalgam has been used by dentists for more than a century now. It is the most commonly used material to fill cavities. Amalgam fillings are strong and therefore, suitable for filling cavities in the teeth that lie at the back of the mouth such as molars. These are the least expensive among all cavity-filling materials.

Composite fillings
Composite fillings are referred to as composites or filled resins at times. These fillings usually feature a combination of quartz or glass filler and can be customized to match the color of your natural teeth. Composite fillings are highly durable and ideal for small-to-mid level restorations in areas of your mouth that perform moderate chewing.

Metals
Amalgams made up of silver or gold are the most commonly used metal cavity filling options. Gold fillings can cost as much as 10 times the cost of silver fillings. Some people do not like the appearance of metal fillings although these can easily last 10-15 years at a stretch.

You might experience some pain and sensitivity after receiving tooth fillings, but this discomfort is only temporary and subsides with time. It is of utmost importance to follow your oral care routine and protect your teeth against future decay.