Dental Filling is a treatment modality to restore missing tooth structure which could have been a result of decay or trauma.Decay makes tooth hollow. Dental Filling helps to fill this gap and protect it from further decay. A filling is also used to repair broken or cracked tooth and the teeth which wear off due to dental habits like teeth grinding, nail biting etc.When does one need Dental Filling?There are various signs and symptoms where fillings can be required. The symptoms could be as below:A hole in your toothDark spots on the toothFood stuck between certain areas of the teethChipped or broken toothSensitivity to hot and cold food and beverageSingle or multiple cavitiesIf you come across any of the symptoms as mentioned above, then there is a chance that you need a filling. The final decision will be of your dentist after a thorough oral examination.What is the procedure of Dental Filling?Dental Filling is normally required if your tooth is decayed. It can prevent further damage and can protect your tooth.The very first step in this process is to see how severe the infected tooth is. This is because Dental Filling is only suitable for minor fractures and decayThe dentist then examines the tooth and if required an X-ray would be done for precise informationDepending upon the extent of decay, local anesthesia is administered to make the area around the infected tooth numbThen the decayed or damaged tooth or the areas around it is prepared for restorationIf the tooth is damaged, then a dental handpiece or a laser can be used to remove the damaged partA filling is then applied to the area to fill the cavity. The type of filling will depend upon case to case and person to personFinally, the finished tooth can be polished to conclude the dental filling procedure

The outer portion or Crown of a tooth is a three-layered structure namely – Enamel, Dentin & Pulp.If the tooth decay is limited to the first two layers, it can be corrected with Filling/ Restoration. In case the tooth decay reaches the third layer and causes inflammation or infection of pulp, an RCT or Endodontic Treatment is needed.Root Canal Treatment also is known as Endodontic Treatment is a procedure done when the tooth decay reaches the pulp (innermost layer of the tooth) causing inflammation. It is necessary to save the damaged tooth from extraction. This procedure is done by an Endodontist who is known as a Root Canal Specialist. The procedure involves:Removal of inflamed or infected tooth materialCleaning and disinfectionFilling and sealing with an inert materialRestoration and crown/capIt is a multi-step procedure and may require multiple sittings.

Wisdom teeth often known as third molars are the last teeth to erupt. One usually gets them in late teens or early twenties. However, even instances of eruption in late adulthood are common.If they erupt smoothly and without any interruption, then they can be proved as an asset. But the problem with third molars is that in case they do not erupt properly or are misaligned, they would need to be extracted. If they are poorly aligned, then they can damage the adjacent teeth.It is also possible that wisdom tooth is impacted. This means that the wisdom teeth remain intact in the soft tissue and partially break or erupt through gums.If they remain partially open, then the chances of bacteria entering the tooth are high which may cause infection & lead to the swelling in the jaw, pain and general illness.Because of the misaligned positioning of the jaw, it will become difficult to brush or floss making the tooth prone to decay and gum disease.There is 4 set of wisdom teeth two on each upper and lower jaw.Nowadays majorly due to lifestyle changes people do not get wisdom teeth. This is because the jaws do not develop completely & properly which restrain the wisdom teeth to erupt.Is there a need to remove Wisdom Teeth?It is not necessary to remove wisdom teeth as long as they are not causing any problem. They would have to be removed if they are impacted or causing crowding. If you do not remove the wisdom tooth, it will be impacted. Your mouth might not provide space for it to erupt as a result it will erupt at the wrong angle which can damage the adjacent tooth.Your dentist may advise you to remove your third molar at an early stage, this is because as you age the bones in your mouth becomes harder which will then make it difficult to remove.Delaying can also lead to severe surgeries and heavy bleeding or can even cause a minor loss of movement in your jaw.Symptoms to get Wisdom Teeth RemovedPain behind molars which can increase with time.Redness, swelling, tenderness which can lead to infectionFoul breath, bad taste can also be detected due to wisdom teethJaw pain and stiffnessShould Wisdom Teeth be removed?Wisdom teeth may/should be removed in case of any understated problems. Your dentist will be able to help and guide you with diagnosis:Crowding: The adjacent teeth are getting harmed. Because of the misalignment wisdom teeth if erupts in the wrong angle then it can harm other teeth.Jaw Damage: Wisdom teeth can damage your nerves making the jaw hollow.Sinus Issue: Wisdom teeth can be a reason for sinus pain and congestion.Gum Problem: It will be difficult to clean the area which results in swelling of the tissue.Gaps in Gums: The pocket is created due to swollen gums thus helping in the process of decayProcedure for Wisdom Teeth RemovalThe removal process depends upon the stage in which the wisdom teeth is. It is easy to extract wisdom tooth if it has fully erupted. But if the tooth is impacted then it will require an incision in the gums. Usually, the tooth is extracted in parts to minimize the amount of bone required to be extracted for tooth removal.Post Wisdom Tooth removalAvoid vigorous rinsing and touching the areaIf you start feeling discomfort take the prescribed medicinesA certain amount of bleeding is expected, however, if the bleeding exceeds then visit your dentist immediatelySwelling around mouth and cheeks is common for a couple of daysBe on a liquid diet for the first few days. Avoid the use of strawDo brush twice a day but make sure you are gentle on rinsing