Learn with us about cosmetic laser fillings and when it’s possible to eat after their placement

Cosmetic Laser Fillings, who among us has not suffered from cavities and been advised by the doctor to have a laser filling instead of a regular filling? So let’s get to know laser fillings in detail, the difference between them and regular fillings, what are their most important advantages and disadvantages, and the following article will answer all the questions that are on your mind and related to the cost of the filling and the accompanying harms, through which you will determine whether it will suit you or not according to your condition.

Cosmetic Laser Fillings

Cosmetic laser fillings, or what is known as composite fillings, are a type of filling that uses laser. It is a mixture of resin and binding materials, and a group of inorganic particles such as silica or glass to reflect laser light. It is also called light-cured dental fillings, and its main idea depends on directing a light source, a laser, onto the filling so that the light beams emitted from it make the chemical particles in the filling material bond with each other and integrate with the tooth fibers, especially those related to color, which of course works to make the filling more stable and increases its estimated lifespan. To learn more information about cosmetic fillings, you should read this article.

What are Dental Fillings?

Dental fillings are defined as alternative materials used to get rid of tooth decay and compensate for damage, fractures, and tooth loss, in addition to treating the defect resulting from the loss of part of the tooth and preserving the remaining natural teeth and protecting them from harm. Usually, the damaged part of the teeth is removed first, followed by disinfection and cleaning, and then placing the appropriate filling material for the condition.

There is more than one material used in dental fillings, and they vary in terms of the quality of the materials they are made of, their effectiveness, and their durability, ranging from porcelain, silver, mercury, tin, zinc, copper, glass, and composite resin. Only the dentist determines the type of filling used based on the location of the tooth to be filled, the required degree of hardness, in addition to the area of decay removal, and some of these types are mentioned as follows:

Gold Dental Fillings

These are one of the fillings used in treating tooth decay and are made of gold. They are characterized by their hardness, strength, and high degree of durability. Their estimated lifespan is up to 15 years without being affected by any surrounding factor. Additionally, their appearance is quite acceptable and suitable for both front and back teeth. However, one of their major drawbacks is that they are expensive, in addition to their low degree of safety, as it has been proven that this type of filling causes a kind of electrical shock due to its reaction with the patient’s saliva.

Silver or Amalgam Dental Fillings

These are dental fillings made of silver and contain mercury in their composition. They are characterized by their high degree of durability, making them an ideal choice in cases of deep decay, in addition to their low cost compared to other fillings such as gold and composite. However, one of the major drawbacks of this filling is that its color does not match the rest of the tooth color, which does not give an aesthetic appearance. Therefore, it is better to use it for filling back teeth. Additionally, over time, it causes discoloration of the surrounding tooth fillings due to the effect of the amalgam material on them. It has also been noted that its composition causes significant damage in the case of filling natural teeth because the doctor has to remove a relatively large part of the tooth enamel to secure the filling.

Glass Composites

These are among the most commonly used types of fillings, especially for children’s tooth fillings. They are made of a glass material known as acrylic reinforced with fluoride, which helps resist decay and clean teeth. However, they are among the weakest and most brittle fillings compared to other fillings, and their estimated lifespan is short, not lasting more than three years.

Porcelain Composites

Also known as ceramic fillings, these are one of the filling materials used in dental restorations. They are characterized by their high hardness, strong durability, and resistance. The most important feature is that they last for a long time, perhaps 15 years, but they are more expensive than other filling materials and may even surpass gold.

“Dental restorations were never better than with The Dental Center“.

Composite Fillings Consist of 3 Essential Components

Laser dental fillings, light-cured dental fillings, or composite fillings are all terms for the same thing. They are a type of filling used in treating tooth decay and repairing broken parts of teeth to preserve them and protect them from damage resulting from fractures or decay. This type of filling became particularly widespread in the late last century, in the 1960s.

Its operation depends on directing a light-curing machine that emits a light beam onto the filling material, causing the chemical particles of the filling to bond with the tooth fiber particles, which helps enhance its stability and thus reduces the chance of the filling falling out and increases its estimated lifespan.

We find that composite fillings consist of 3 main components: a resin matrix, a group of non-organic particles that work to reflect light to give it a shiny appearance, such as silica, quartz, and glass, and binding agents that help increase the bonding between the resin and silica materials.

What is the Difference Between Regular and Laser Fillings?

Laser dental fillings rely on using a device that emits light waves and is placed on top of the filling material, where these rays work to assemble the filling material and secure it in parts of the tooth and prevent it from coming out of the tooth cavity.

Platinum fillings are made of several materials such as silver, copper, tin, and mercury, which represents the largest proportion. They are characterized by their hardness and low cost, and they do not require a large number of sessions.

What are the Steps Involved in Light-Cured Fillings?

The process of light-cured fillings involves several steps, which we will learn about as follows:

• Step One: The doctor anesthetizes the nerve canal that reaches the tooth to be filled and the surrounding area to reduce the pain felt by injecting the anesthetic into the gums and, in some cases, spraying it onto the outer tissues surrounding the tooth.
• Step Two: The doctor seeks to remove the decayed area of the tooth and clean it carefully, either through a high-precision laser device no more than one millimeter thick or through a regular drilling device.
• Step Three: This is called isolation in the filling process, meaning isolating the tooth to be filled to prevent saliva from reaching it to achieve a good result and proper disinfection.
• Step Four: The doctor applies the filling material in layers, not as a single mass, to resemble the shape of natural tooth fillings and make the filling more stable and durable.
• Step Five: After the filling has dried, the doctor removes any protruding parts of the filling and levels the outer surface of the tooth, smoothing and polishing it as the final step in the laser tooth filling process.

What is the Purpose of Dental Fillings?

Dental fillings are done on teeth damaged by decay or gradual erosion due to lack of oral hygiene so that the teeth can function properly, maintain an aesthetic appearance, and avoid the pain caused by decay. To learn about the final cost of the different types of dental fillings, read this article.

How Long Do Laser Fillings Last?

The estimated lifespan of laser fillings depends on the level of care and attention given to dental hygiene and overall oral hygiene. We find that being diligent about brushing teeth at least twice a day and using a fluoride-containing toothpaste to prevent cavities is one of the most important factors that help increase the estimated lifespan of the filling, which can last up to 7 years. Additionally, it is necessary to visit the dentist regularly every three months to ensure the condition of the filling and promptly address any issues or abnormal symptoms.

Approximate Cost of Light-Cured Dental Fillings (Composite)

Laser filling prices vary depending on several factors that determine their value, which we mention as follows:

• The materials used in the manufacture of the filling material and their quality and efficiency.
• The experience, competence, and skill of the doctor, and the use of modern equipment and tools.
• The level of the center where the filling is done and the degree of attention to sterilization and the patient’s condition.
• The location of the dental fillings being treated, whether front or back, and the extent of decay and the area of damage being treated.

However, the average cost of composite dental fillings in Egypt ranges from 350 to 600 Egyptian pounds, while the cost of glass fillings ranges from 300 to 500 Egyptian pounds.

Factors Contributing to Determining the Cost of Laser Dental Fillings

The cost of laser fillings is one of the most important questions asked by many patients to the dentist, but they should be informed that the cost is determined based on several factors that have a significant and clear impact, including:

• The skill, experience, and competence of the doctor in this specialty and their aesthetic touch in giving the teeth their final shape.
• The type of filling used, which differs from country to country depending on the quality of the materials used in it.
• The size and depth of the tooth cavity and the number of teeth to be filled.
• The location and level of the doctor’s clinic.
• The number of sessions needed by the patient, especially if the cavities are deep and the doctor cannot complete them in the same session. They may need to apply certain materials to stimulate the tooth to form a solid layer separating the tooth pulp from the outer cavity, which may take several months, increasing the final cost.
• Additionally, if the doctor performs any interventions needed by the patient, such as cleaning dental calculus before laser tooth filling.

Advantages of Laser Dental Fillings

Laser dental fillings have many advantages, some of which we will discuss in detail as follows:

• Attractive Aesthetic Appearance: Laser tooth filling techniques help maintain the aesthetic properties of the tooth compared to other types of fillings and restorations, which is why they are widely used by many dentists as they offer a wide range of colors, providing filling techniques for different tooth shades.
• Stability: Composite fillings are characterized by their chemical bonding with the main tooth structure, providing a high degree of support for them and enhancing tooth stability.
• High Effectiveness: Laser dental fillings are one of the most effective and ideal solutions for front tooth problems and some back teeth. Additionally, they are used to replace damaged and broken parts to resemble natural teeth, making them one of the best available options used in repairing visible front tooth decay and in cases of gaps between the front teeth.
• Ease of Application: This technique is easy to apply without the need to remove part of the tooth crown as is the case with gold and silver fillings. The dentist does not need to remove any part of the tooth to repair the damaged part but only needs to remove a thin layer of the tooth to help secure the filling.
• Low Cost: Laser dental fillings are considered low-cost compared to other fillings such as silver and gold.

Disadvantages of Laser Dental Fillings

We must keep in mind that the laser tooth filling technique, like any cosmetic procedure, will have some advantages and disadvantages, which we will discuss in detail as follows:

• Brittleness: This filling is not suitable for some cases of decay affecting the back molars due to its lack of the hardness and strength needed for chewing in those teeth. To avoid the filling breaking and falling out, many doctors prefer silver fillings in such cases due to their known hardness, strength, and durability.
• Not Suitable for Large Areas: In cases of large cavities resulting from decay and damage, laser fillings are not recommended as they tend to fall out prematurely due to their inability to properly bond with the tooth tissue. In this case, it is best to consult the doctor to suggest an appropriate solution and alternative.
• Frequent Visits to the Doctor: The laser tooth filling technique requires follow-up visits with the doctor and going through a number of cleaning sessions, temporary filling materials, and disinfection.
• Tooth Nerve Sensitivity: There are some cases of decay that are close to the tooth nerve, so the nerve becomes highly sensitive to the chemical materials in the filling composition, which can cause persistent pain originating from the gums in addition to other symptoms such as swelling and inflammation that may increase and not be controlled in some cases.

Problems Associated with Laser Dental Fillings

Laser dental fillings, like any type of filling, may be accompanied by some problems or side effects, which we will learn about in detail as follows:

• Gum Swelling: This is one of the problems that occur due to weak sterilization procedures and the dentist’s lack of attention to necessary precautions before placing the filling material. However, this point rarely occurs due to significant advancements in sterilization methods, care, and doctors’ attention to a great extent.
• Filling Disintegration and Falling: There are some signs of erosion that appear in dental fillings and can result from their weakness and inability to withstand chewing pressure. It may also result from their continuous contact with adjacent teeth, causing some parts of the filling material to fall off. In this situation, it’s necessary to visit the dentist to determine the optimal solution to reduce the resulting damage.
• Various Pains: Usually, the patient feels some pain once the anesthetic effect wears off. This pain subsides within a few hours or may last for a day or two depending on the tooth’s condition. These pains are very normal, but concern should arise if the patient feels pain during contact between the treated part of the tooth and the opposing or neighboring tooth surface. In such a case, it’s better to consult the dentist to remove the protruding part of the tooth and work on leveling its surface.

Can I eat after getting a dental filling?

Doctors advise waiting at least 24 hours after getting a dental filling before consuming solid food, as metallic dental fillings do not harden immediately. To avoid biting the cheek, tongue, or lips, the patient should wait until the local anesthetic effect wears off.

To find details about the best dental treatment and cosmetic center, please contact The Dental Center.