Permanent filling after nerve extraction

Permanent Filling After Nerve Extraction, Permanent filling after nerve extraction is a medical procedure applied to teeth that have had their nerves removed. It is a common operation in the field of dentistry and comes as a solution for patients suffering from tooth pain and severe decay. In the following paragraphs, we will learn about all the information related to permanent fillings, their advantages, and disadvantages.

Permanent Filling After Nerve Extraction

A patient suffering from deep decay in their teeth, reaching the root and nerve, forces the doctor to remove the nerve to preserve the tooth and place a permanent filling material to fill this cavity resulting from cleaning and removing the decay. This procedure helps to preserve the natural tooth structure, prevent the spread of infection, and maintain the tooth from further deterioration. In the following paragraphs, we will learn about the main advantages and disadvantages of permanent fillings in detail.

How Long Does a Permanent Filling Last?

Permanent fillings are characterized by being strong and durable, and they can last for long periods ranging from 10 to 15 years. We find that the type of filling material used has a significant impact in determining its expected lifespan, and we will explain the types of permanent fillings as follows:

• Cast Gold Filling is an extremely strong filling but also expensive and lasts for more than 15 years.
• Silver Amalgam lasts for a period of 10 to 15 years.
• Composite Resin is white in color and matches the color of the teeth very well, but it has a shorter lifespan of up to 5 years.
• Porcelain or Ceramic Filling is a strong filling that lasts for more than 15 years.
• Glass Ionomer Cement matches the color of the teeth very well, but it is one of the weakest types of fillings and has a short lifespan.

Can a Permanent Filling Develop Decay?

Yes, it is possible for a permanent tooth filling to develop decay when oral hygiene and teeth cleaning are neglected. Food residues that accumulate in the mouth can combine with bacteria, causing reactions that lead to decay, even in the presence of a filling in another part of the tooth.

Additionally, using an unsuitable permanent filling can allow bacteria to enter the tooth again and reach the inside, the pulp chamber, and nerve canals, causing decay to attack the tooth again and cause pain.

Can You Eat After a Permanent Filling?

You should not eat on teeth that have undergone permanent filling for two hours after the filling to allow the fillings to harden and set more quickly. It is best to wait a few hours after the filling procedure for the numbness to wear off, the pain to subside, and the patient to be able to consume food and swallow it.

Does a Permanent Filling Require Anesthesia?

Yes, in most cases, a patient undergoing permanent filling needs anesthesia. Most doctors administer local anesthesia to the area surrounding the tooth before starting the filling procedure. This causes the patient to have difficulty controlling their lips or consuming food for a period until the anesthesia wears off.

Is Pain After Tooth Nerve Extraction Normal?

Get ready to smile without pain! With our specialized team at our medical dental care center, we ensure that you are free from toothache after permanent filling and nerve extraction as quickly as possible.

Yes, the pain that a patient experiences after nerve extraction is very normal and can range from mild to moderate, lasting for a few days up to a maximum of four weeks. It can be overcome by taking some pain relievers prescribed by the doctor or following some home remedies such as rinsing with warm salt water, using cold compresses, using cloves, or applying cold peppermint tea bags.

If the pain does not respond to any of the treatment methods mentioned above, you should return to your doctor, as there may have been a failure in the nerve extraction or another problem affecting it.

How is Tooth Nerve Extraction Performed?

Tooth nerve extraction is performed in several steps, including the following:

• The doctor asks the patient to have X-rays of their teeth to examine the area that needs nerve extraction.
• The specialist dentist administers local anesthesia to the tooth and the surrounding area.
• The tooth is isolated with a protective barrier to protect the gums and other areas of the mouth from being affected.
• The enamel layer of the tooth is drilled to access the pulp.
• Any decayed or decomposed tissue is removed, and the root is also reshaped to better accommodate the filling.
• The doctor cleans the root canal using certain chemical agents to ensure the complete removal of any remaining tissue and bacteria.
• Once all infected tissues are cleaned, the root area is dried.

If you’d like to learn more detailed information about nerve filling, you can read the following article.

When Does a Tooth Need Nerve Extraction?

The doctor resorts to nerve extraction when the decay is so deep that it reaches the tooth pulp. If left untreated and the condition progresses, painful and infected abscesses containing pus may form outside the root area, causing swelling in the teeth that can sometimes reach the face, neck, and head. The bones surrounding the decayed tooth may be eroded, and ulcers may develop and spread in the skin, becoming uncontrollable. If you’d like to learn about the pain a patient experiences after nerve extraction, you can read this article.

Which is Better: Tooth Extraction or Nerve Extraction?

We cannot answer this question without understanding the specific case in detail, as each case is different, and the decision lies with the doctor. In some cases, it may be possible to save the tooth through nerve extraction, cleaning, and placing a crown, without needing to extract it. On the other hand, there may be cases where the tooth is severely damaged and decayed, and its presence may harm the remaining teeth, making extraction and replacement with dental implants or fixed or removable dentures the better option for the patient’s overall health.

How Many Sessions Are Needed for Nerve Extraction?

One to three sessions are typically needed for the nerve extraction procedure. The filling step alone can be done in a single session. However, the number of sessions may increase or decrease depending on the patient’s condition. Severe inflammation can increase the number of sessions, while a simple case may not require additional steps or complications.

Steps for Permanent Filling Placement

Enjoy a bright smile and renewed oral health with our tooth filling service at the Medical Dental Care Center. The permanent tooth filling procedure involves the following steps:

• Anesthetizing the area surrounding the tooth.
• The doctor drills the tooth to remove the decay and prepare the area for the filling.
• Cleaning and treating the tooth cavity to remove any bacteria.
• If the decay is close to the nerve, the nerve is protected by placing a protective layer made of composite resin or glass ionomer.
• If the decay has reached the nerve area, the doctor performs a root canal treatment or nerve extraction, which may require more than one session. In this case, a temporary filling is placed between sessions until the treatment is complete.
• After the root is completely treated and cleaned, the tooth is dried and filled with one of the filling materials, excess material is removed, and the filling is polished.

Benefits of Permanent Fillings

Permanent fillings are considered simple procedures with a significant and effective impact on solving tooth decay problems. Additionally, permanent fillings can be used to treat broken teeth resulting from various injuries. Permanent fillings help to save natural teeth and maintain them for the longest possible time.

Disadvantages of Permanent Fillings

No one can deny the important role played by permanent fillings, but despite this, there are some drawbacks, such as increased tooth sensitivity to hot and cold foods and beverages. Additionally, the filling may crack or fall out, not remaining in place forever.

This can occur due to various reasons, including excessive chewing, biting on hard foods, tooth grinding or clenching, tooth or root injury, or the development of new decay in the area adjacent to the filling.

Tips for Dealing with Fillings After Nerve Extraction

There are some instructions that must be followed after nerve extraction to protect your teeth:

• Avoid hard, crunchy, and chewy foods.
• Do not chew food on the side with the affected tooth.
• Use a suitable toothbrush and toothpaste for your condition.
• Follow the doctor’s instructions and take any prescribed antibiotics or pain medications.