Discover tooth filling with laser with us and choose between the best options: Do you prefer platinum filling or laser?

Laser Tooth Filling, laser tooth filling is the latest development using modern technology in the post-twenty-first century era due to the many problems resulting from different filling methods, which had to be avoided to satisfy the patient’s desire for the desired aesthetic appearance and enjoy healthy and bright white teeth. In a time when striving for a good overall appearance has become a top priority, laser tooth filling technology has received great attention and a positive response, which we will learn about in detail in this article.

Laser Tooth Filling

Laser tooth filling is a technique in which light-curing tooth fillings, also known as composites, are used. Composites are bonding or restorative materials called resins. Laser fillings are a type of filling used by dentists to solve various dental problems such as cavities, cracks, and others. The advancement of technology and scientific progress played a significant role in their emergence at the end of the last century.

The idea involves using a device that emits light and radiation onto the affected area where the material is filled, causing the material particles to bond completely with the teeth and fix firmly for an extended period, preventing them from falling out in the long run. Let’s learn more about the recently used laser fillings and their components in the following lines.

Laser fillings consist of 3 main components: a mixture of resin and non-organic compounds that work to reflect light and add shine and brilliance, these compounds can be made of glass, quartz, or silica. The last component of laser fillings is the binding materials that increase the bonding strength between the resin and the non-organic, often glass-based, compounds.

What is the difference between regular and laser fillings?

Tooth decay problems and lack of oral hygiene result in numerous damages that must be addressed as soon as possible to avoid severe complications that may occur. Consequently, dentists always resort to treatment using different fillings that work by filling the gaps resulting from cracks or sealing damaged protrusions after cleaning and removing decay or damage. Therefore, it is essential to understand the differences between the most commonly used types of fillings to determine the suitable one after consulting the doctor.

Dental fillings used vary in terms of materials, effectiveness, and stability. These fillings are made from various materials such as copper, plastic, porcelain, glass, mercury, silver, or composite resin. Therefore, it is necessary to know the differences between them, as the doctor chooses the most suitable filling for each patient based on the expansion area resulting from the removal of decay, strength, and location of the tooth to be filled. We will mention these differences as follows:

Regular Fillings

There are types of regular fillings that are used, such as gold, silver, glass, and porcelain fillings. These fillings have advantages and disadvantages that vary from one type to another, but there are some points that distinguish regular fillings:

• Strong fillings that last with the patient for many years and are not susceptible to damage, such as gold, silver, and porcelain fillings, suitable for both front and back teeth that require strength and high durability. On the other hand, glass fillings, which are acrylic and fluoride materials, are brittle and weak, lasting no more than 3 years.
• Varying costs – there are expensive fillings such as gold, composite, and porcelain, which are the most expensive types of regular fillings, and low-cost options such as silver and glass.
• Some regular fillings are safe, while others are not, such as gold fillings, which may react with saliva or other fillings in the mouth, causing electric shock for some patients, and silver fillings, which are affected by heat, contracting in cold and expanding in heat, affecting the teeth and making them brittle and prone to cracking or breaking.
• From an aesthetic perspective, some types of regular fillings affect the appearance, such as silver fillings, which change color over time and require the removal of a large part of the tooth filling to fix the material to be filled.

Laser Filling:

• Laser filling is the best type of filling for enhancing aesthetic appearance due to its ability to provide different shades of tooth colors.
• Its cost is affordable for all social classes, being less expensive compared to other types of fillings.
• The dentist only removes a thin layer of the tooth to fix the filling and does not have to remove the tooth crown as is the case with some other fillings such as gold and silver, making laser filling easier to apply.
• More stable and durable than other fillings.
• Laser filling is suitable for all tooth locations, both front and back teeth.
• Not suitable for filling back molars due to insufficient durability under the pressure during chewing, and silver fillings are more suitable in this case only.
• Laser fillings cannot bond with teeth in case of large cavities resulting from decay and damage, as they may fall out over time.
• Laser filling requires continuous follow-up with the dentist for regular cleaning.
• Sensitivity of the affected tooth nerve to all chemical compounds and gum pain.

What are the steps involved in light-curing fillings?

Some may wonder how is laser tooth filling done? Laser filling requires multiple steps and continuous follow-up with the dentist due to the importance of constant cleaning of the filling materials and teeth. The five steps for light-curing fillings will be explained as follows:

1. Anesthesia by injecting the gums with an anesthetic or spraying the tooth to be filled and the surrounding area with topical benzocaine.
2. Using a thin, precise laser drill, the tooth is cleaned of decay or damage.
3. Thorough sterilization of the tooth to be filled by isolating it to prevent saliva leakage.
4. Adding the filling in layers, not all at once, to ensure the strength and durability of the filling.
5. Once the filling is dry, the dentist removes any excess and levels the tooth surface, giving it its characteristic shine.

“Experience the advanced and most comfortable tooth filling with our laser filling technology at The Dental Center.”

How long does a laser filling last?

There are several factors that help extend the lifespan of a laser filling; these are regular brushing with a suitable toothpaste containing the appropriate amount of fluoride to prevent cavities, maintaining oral hygiene and cleaning the filling by removing any food particles continuously after every meal, avoiding smoking, which has a negative impact on the disintegration and falling out of the filling, in addition to regular follow-up with the dentist every 3 months to ensure the condition of the filling. All these factors contribute to the safety of the laser filling for more than 7 years, with the typical lifespan ranging from 4 to 5 years, and some fillings lasting more than 15 years, such as gold and porcelain fillings.

Pain after laser filling?

During the laser filling procedure, the patient does not feel any pain due to the anesthetic effect. However, after the anesthesia gradually wears off, severe pain begins that many cannot tolerate. This is due to extreme sensitivity when exposed to cold air while breathing or drinking hot and cold beverages, pressure on the filled tooth when eating solid foods or brushing teeth, as well as unbearable gum pain. The pain is continuous, not only in the filled tooth but also in the surrounding teeth. There are reasons for this pain, which we will learn about in the following points:

• The materials used in the filling cause the body to have a sensitive reaction to them, such as a rash and itching in the area surrounding the filled tooth.
• The surface of the fillings is different from the nature of the tooth surface, as the tooth has a golden crown, and the surface of silver fillings is different, giving a severe sensation of pain when touched.
• Failure to consider the length of the affected tooth when placing the filling can cause pressure on it and a feeling of pain in the teeth and gums. In this case, the tooth may become weak and cracked.
• If the decay content in the tooth is not properly cleaned before filling, it may cause inflammation of the tooth pulp and nerve inflammation, and in some patients, an abscess may form.

There are different instructions for treating the various causes of pain after laser filling, and these instructions can be summarized in the following points:

• Regular intake of painkillers and anti-inflammatory medications prescribed by the doctor.
• Using dental floss to remove all food debris and thoroughly brushing teeth.
• Avoiding hot and cold food and drinks as much as possible, especially in the period immediately after the filling procedure and up to a week, due to the extreme sensitivity of the teeth during this stage.
• Using a suitable toothpaste prescribed by the doctor to improve tooth sensitivity during this stage.
• Avoiding soft foods such as marshmallows and others, or hard foods for up to two weeks after the filling procedure.

From what has been mentioned, we can conclude that there are types of pain after laser filling, and these types can be classified as follows:

• Intermittent pain: This pain indicates the need to visit the dentist to check the condition of the roots.
• Pain upon touch: This pain lasts only a few minutes and is felt only when touching the surface of the filled tooth.
• Continuous pain: This pain subsides after two weeks of the filling procedure, and the pain extends throughout this period to the surrounding teeth.
• Pain while chewing: This is felt after the anesthetic wears off, and if it persists after that, the dentist should be consulted to ensure that the filling is not affected by chewing.

After mentioning the different types of pain, their causes, and how to treat these causes, we hope that the importance of paying attention to any pain and taking appropriate and prompt action by consulting the dentist when experiencing any unusual symptoms has been clarified. For more information on pain after root canal filling, click here.

Does laser filling require anesthesia?

Yes, during the various steps of laser filling, the patient must be given anesthesia, as the procedure is carried out in multiple sessions. Among the steps in the filling process is the use of a drill to clean the area where the filling will be placed from any traces of decay and level the tooth surface after adding the filling layers. The patient cannot tolerate this, so anesthesia is necessary for the dentist to perform the laser filling procedure properly and with high accuracy to ensure the stability of the filling and prevent it from falling out in the long run.

Can cavities return after filling?

Unfortunately, cavities can return due to neglecting oral hygiene and the accumulation of food debris between the teeth, which allows the bacteria in the mouth to multiply, feeding on the sugars in food and producing acids that erode the teeth and cause cavities. This can also happen to any previously filled tooth or tooth if it is not properly cared for or the teeth are not cleaned regularly on a daily basis, as the filling does not protect the teeth from cavities. Therefore, it is essential to brush teeth regularly.

Click here to learn more about the symptoms of tooth decay in children.

Which is better, laser filling or platinum?

Among the different techniques used in treating tooth decay is the use of fillings, including laser and platinum fillings. Each has its own techniques, advantages, and disadvantages. The comparison between them can be summarized in the following points:

Laser Filling	Platinum Filling
Low cost	Low cost
The filling is firmly and strongly fixed in the tooth tissues due to the ease of the technique, as the light rays emitted from the laser device are used on the tooth to be filled	The filling does not fix firmly with dental implants, as the dentist needs to enlarge the gaps in the teeth for proper fixation.
There is a possibility of cavities if oral hygiene is neglected, as laser fillings are made of a mixture of resin and silica, quartz, or glass materials	Low possibility of developing new cavities, as platinum fillings are made of tin, mercury, silver, and copper
Improves the overall appearance as the filling color matches the tooth color, but the tooth color may change over time	Affects the overall appearance due to the difference in color between the filling and the teeth
Requires continuous follow-up with the dentist	Fewer sessions and no need for frequent visits to the dentist
Does not last long in the tooth cavity	Lasts for an extended period in the tooth cavity

 

Advantages of Laser Tooth Fillings

Laser tooth fillings are a popular cosmetic technique currently used to treat dental problems such as cavities, cracks, and others. They have many advantages that make them a more preferred option by patients, which we will explain as follows:

• The most aesthetically-preserving technique, as the filling color matches the tooth color.
• No need to remove part of the tooth crown, only a thin layer.
• Used for front teeth due to its ability to maintain the aesthetic aspect.
• Characterized by durability and strong bonding between the filling and the teeth.
• Relatively low cost compared to some regular fillings.
• Available in various colors and shades, making it suitable for all tooth colors.

Get rid of the pain and the annoying experience of traditional filling, and discover laser filling at The Dental Center.

Disadvantages of Laser Filling

Despite the many advantages of laser filling that we have discussed previously in the article, there are some drawbacks that can be mentioned as follows:

• Cases of decay close to the nerve are not recommended for laser filling.
• Highly sensitive teeth may experience increased sensitivity complications when filled with laser.
• The filling may not last long if dental care is neglected and brushing is not done regularly twice daily.
• The color of the filling does not naturally change over time, but with lack of continuous cleaning and care, the color may change, affecting the aesthetic appearance, especially in the front teeth.
• The risk of gum inflammation increases with laser filling.
• Some patients may have deep cavities, in which case the dentist may need to enlarge the cavity to perform laser filling.
• If the cavity occupies a large space in the tooth, laser filling is not preferred.
• Laser fillings may not withstand pressure when chewing if the teeth or molars are weak, so laser fillings are not suitable for patients with brittle teeth.

Price of Laser Tooth Filling

Many dental patients opt for laser tooth filling due to its simple cost and the many advantages it offers, as presented in the previous paragraphs. When asked about the cost, it is difficult to determine accurately as prices vary depending on each dentist, location, quality, efficiency, and devices used. The price of laser tooth filling at our dental care center starts from 300 Egyptian pounds, and for more information about the prices of nerve filling for children, read this article.

Tips After Laser Filling

After the laser filling procedure, the dentist provides many instructions, especially for the next few hours. We will mention these tips due to their importance in ensuring good fixation of the filling:

1. Avoid food and drink completely for two hours after the filling procedure.
2. Contact the dentist immediately if experiencing any undesirable symptoms such as fever, persistent pain, or bleeding, as these symptoms usually do not occur after laser filling. Prompt action is necessary to identify any incorrect behavior that occurred after the procedure and to try to rectify any complications to avoid any negative consequences on the procedure and the patient.
3. Avoid chewing on the side where the filling was done for two or three days to prevent sticky or hard food from pressing on the filling, which may cause it to move from its place and become damaged.
4. Test the effect of the high surface of the filling on chewing, speech, or proper mouth closure. The dentist may advise the patient to lightly bite on the top surface of the filling and make sure that the surface of the filling is not higher than the tooth surface itself to avoid pain after filling or breaking the filling and ear pain, which may result in pain in the temporomandibular joint.
5. Limit the consumption of sugary and acidic foods.
6. Avoid any dental care products containing alcohol, such as mouthwash and toothpaste, due to the ability of alcohols to change the color of the filling and weaken its durability.
7. Avoid teeth clenching, as it may increase tooth sensitivity and cause damage, in addition to causing cracks. In case of lack of control over that, it is recommended to use a mouth guard recommended by the dentist to avoid damaging the fillings and teeth.
8. It is necessary to ensure the cleanliness of the teeth and the removal of tartar every six months in the dentist’s clinic to avoid any negative impact on the fillings and teeth in the future.