Before explaining what a nerve filling is and how it is performed, you must first be aware of tooth nerve function and what are the causes that may affect it then lead to removing and replacing it with other materials.
The main nerve function is to feel cold or hot, and it is located inside the tooth in an area called the dental pulp that extends from the beginning of the tooth to the jawbone .
If the tooth decay reaches that pulp or when it is affected by bacteria, or if a tooth fracture occurs, this causes an infection that leads nerve infection, and in this case it must be removed because it may cause an infection that leads to swelling in the tooth area and may extend to the face and neck, an abscess may form and these symptoms are followed by severe pain that prevents you from practicing your life normally, and therefore performing a nerve filling in this case is an inevitable necessity to get rid of the pain and you won’t need to remove the tooth .
What is nerve filling ?
It is a procedure performed by the dentist to remove the infected nerve from the tooth pulp and replace it with a rubber-like substance to fill the space, and then close the tooth root canals.
Nerve filling steps are :
- The dentist makes a hole through the tooth’s upper part, then cleans and disinfects the root canal using certain materials to prepare the pulp for placing the fillings .
- Then he starts filling the tooth pulp with a rubber material to fill the spaces, then closes the root canals completely with adhesive.
- Mostly the tooth needs a crown to protect the filling from falling out , so the dentist places the filling either in the same session or he may wait a certain period before installing it .
If the tooth has an abscess, the patient will need to treat it first .
What will you feel after Nerve filling :
- Dentist must make sure that the filling reaches the root canal to fill it completely so that the pulp does not become infected with bacteria again .
- During the filling process, cracking or perforation of the root canal can occur, which prevents the filling process .
- In case crown isn’t installed , the filling may fall out and the need to be performed again.
After the filling process, the patient must be careful about types of food and drinks, also should take good care of the mouth and teeth health so it won’t be exposed to infection again .
The patient must follow several instructions after the nerve filling, such as :
- Brushing the teeth twice a day at least .
- Continuously brushing the teeth with dental floss to get rid of food residues that cause bacteria .
- Avoid sugary foods and very hot or cold drinks as much as possible .
- Examine the filling frequently to ensure its stability .
The difference between cosmetic filling and nerve filling :
A cosmetic filling is a procedure that your dentist carries out to improve the aesthetics and function of your teeth , it is made from various materials that have the same tooth color .
when nerve filling, as per the article, is a procedure to relieve the pain caused by nerve infection .