Is It Uncomfortable to Get Fillings?

Many patients, especially those who experience dental anxiety, worry about the process of getting dental fillings. Will it hurt? Will there be significant discomfort?

Fortunately, thanks to dental anesthesia, you won’t feel a thing when you get your fillings. If you need a dental filling, schedule an appointment right away at Happy Family Dental Care.

The Dental Fillings Process

Once you’re in the dentist’s chair, the dentist will begin by administering general or local anesthesia. For most patients, only local anesthesia is needed, which usually takes the form of an injection into the gums. Within minutes, you won’t be able to feel a thing on one or both sides of your mouth. Unless the pulp is exposed, teeth have no nerve endings, so you won’t be getting any pain signals from them.

If the fillings process makes you so anxious that you’d rather sleep through the procedure, then general anesthesia can be administered. Be aware that it will take more time to recover from general anesthesia; you’ll need to clear your schedule for an entire day. By contrast, local anesthesia wears off within a few hours.

When your mouth is numb, your dentist applies the filling to seal chips and cracks, and otherwise strengthen the structure of your teeth. The composite material cures instantly when exposed to a special light: no need to wait until it settles into place.

Treat the area around your new filling gently for a few days. Especially avoid biting hard objects like ice or hard candies. After that, caring for your filling is as easy as brushing and flossing.

Fillings Are Comfortable and Painless

If you need a filling, don’t hesitate to schedule your appointment. Leaving your cavity untreated runs the risk of it widening over time. Contact Happy Family Dental Care for painless and comfortable dental fillings in Scottsdale and the Phoenix metro area.