Can you be put under for multiple cavities?
By
Dr Shivam Jha
This blogpost will answer the question Can you be put under for multiple cavities? And will include the following topics:Every cavity is a cause for concern
How long does it take to get a filling?What are the different types of fillings?
Benefits and Pros of Sedation for Tooth Fillings:
Sedation Dentistry Options:
Why use sedation during kids’ dental procedures?
How to prepare your child for dental anaesthesia
What are the risks of dental anaesthesia?
Is a dental filling always required to treat a cavity?
Can you be put under for multiple cavities?
Yes, you can be put under for multiple cavities. Many fillings and crowns can be completed in one appointment under full sedation dentistry.
Every cavity is a cause for concern
Even if the cavity has just recently developed, it is cause for alarm. Decay may be avoided by practising proper daily hygiene and following a healthy diet. While minor damage to your enamel may be repaired, cavities cause irreparable damage to your smile. Once formed, they will continue to develop and cause further harm to your enamel. Eventually, the damage is severe enough to create infections, which cause pain and sensitivity and put you at danger of tooth loss!
How long does it take to get a filling?
From start to finish, small fillings typically take 20 to 30 minutes to complete. Deeper or multiple cavities take longer to fill.
Here’s the typical procedure you can expect for a filling:
Your dentist will dry the area, then they’ll administer a numbing gel.
They’ll administer a local anaesthetic, like lidocaine, after your gums are numb. This shouldn’t be a problem if your dentist is skilled. While the anaesthetic begins to numb the tooth, gums, and jaw region, you may feel a momentary pinch or sting.
Your dentist will next remove the decay with a drill. The sound of the drill is considered by many to be the most unpleasant part of the process. The hole will be sanitised and filled once the decay has been completely removed. Deep fillings near the pulp may need the placement of a liner beforehand to protect the nerve.
After the filling is in place, your dentist will check your bite to make sure it is even and then polish the tooth.
What are the types of fillings?
Different types of fillings can influence the procedure’s time and, as a result, how painful it is. Your pain level is usually unaltered by the type of filling.
Filling materials include:
Composite resin:
One of the most frequently used fillings is this one. It’s administered in stages that use UV light to harden into the tooth. These popular fillings are constructed of acrylic resin and polished glass and are tooth-colored and natural-looking. Composite resin fillings aren’t as long-lasting as other filling materials and require longer to set in the tooth, so they’re not usually the best choice for deep fillings. In addition to taking longer than amalgam fillings, this form of filling requires more time.
Amalgam:
These silvery grey fillings are constructed of a range of metals, including mercury, silver, copper, and tin. They’re less costly and may last longer than composite resin. These fillings have become less common due to concerns about mercury poisoning. Amalgam fillings do not cause mercury poisoning, according to clinical research, and the American Dental Association has also indicated that they are safe. However, there is a persistent concern regarding their safety.
Gold:
These fillings are long-lasting, costly, and noticeable in the mouth. They require multiple visits to the facility. After the decay in your tooth has been removed, a mould is used to create an impression of the tooth. At a following appointment, the filling is cemented to your tooth.
Glass ionomer:
This is a less durable filling material used for baby teeth and temporary fillings. Glass ionomer also releases fluoride that helps prevent additional tooth decay.
Benefits and Pros of Sedation for Tooth Fillings:
Sedation alleviates dental anxiety and other anxieties found at the dentist office.
Sleep sedation dentistry is ideal for fillings for those who have difficulty getting numb.
Sleep and sedative dentistry might help you get rid of a bad gag reflex.
Under full sedation dentistry, many fillings and crowns can be performed in a single session.
There is no cause to be concerned, fearful, or stressed when visiting the dentist. You’ll wake up and it’ll all be done..
Sedation Dentistry Options:
Full IV Sedation Dentistry
Oral Sedation with Triazolam or Diazepam
NO2 dental gas twilight anesthesia
Some combination of the above sedative techniques
Why use sedation during kids’ dental procedures?
Often, general dental anaesthesia is used in cases when a child has numerous teeth with decay,also it isn’t unusual to see a child with eight to ten teeth with cavities. And if the decay has progressed to the nerve of the tooth—requiring a baby root canal—in which the nerve is removed, the hole is filled and a crown is placed on the tooth.
For children with special needs, such as ADHD or autism, general anaesthetic or sedation may make a scary treatment more comfortable. You want to build on that pleasant experience so that the child does not associates the dentist with pain and worry. It also helps the dentist to complete the treatment more quickly and effectively.
How to prepare your child for dental anaesthesia
Before a child is put to sleep, a paediatric dentist or anaesthesiologist is required by law to explain the operation in full, as well as the reasons for the general anaesthetic. This is known as informed consent, and it must be signed by the parent or caregiver before any anaesthetic may be done..
It is recommended that parents learn as much as they can about who will perform their child’s sedation, where it will take place, and what emergency measures will be in place. Because it is common for parents to meet the anaesthesiologist for the first time just minutes before a surgery. Parents should contact the dentist/dental anaesthesiologist ahead of time to find out what procedures will be taken to assure the procedure’s safety. Will the child have a monitor attached to him or her after the anaesthesia to check vital signs? Will there always be an assistant in the recovery room with the child? Is there a defibrillator on-site (a device used to restart the heart following a cardiac arrest)? Is there a wall, portable suction, and supplemental oxygen in the recovery area?
Find out what steps you need to follow before your child’s surgery once you’ve signed off. Fasting for eight hours before an operation is critical for preventing vomiting and food from being aspirated into the lungs, which can lead to choking.
And get ready for post-op cuddling. Many children wake up confused or unhappy following anaesthesia, which is not uncommon. It may take a few hours for them to return to normal.
Finally, if your provider is well-trained and prepared for emergencies, and you attentively follow their instructions, everything should go smoothly.
What are the risks of dental anaesthesia?
While general anaesthetic is thought to be safe, there are still some risks involved. Pre-existing medical disorders, such as asthma or diabetes, might increase the risk of complications, and patients may experience adverse responses to the medications in rare situations. Nausea, vomiting, and dizziness are all side effects of anaesthesia..
Inform your dentist if you have ever had a bad response to sedation. You might also inquire whether laughing gas or conscious sedation (which relaxes the patient while keeping them awake) could be used as an alternative to local freezing.
Once you are deemed a good candidate for general sedation, you should ensure that the person administering general anaesthetic is a licensed dental anaesthesiologist or a dentist who has received authorization from their province’s dental authority to administer general anaesthesic.
Is dental filling always required to treat a cavity?
In a nutshell, the answer is no. Dental fillings are used to cure cavities because a dentist prefers to remove the damaged section (the cavity) and fill it to prevent additional harm. While it is not possible to eliminate a cavity without applying a filling, it is possible to nearly reverse the deterioration. Read on for more information about decay reversal methods.
Fluoride treatment
When a cavity is still in its early stages, fluoride may be able to frequently stop the decay and even reverse it. Fluoride agents help to repair tooth enamel and keep it robust and long-lasting.
Fluoride treatments can be delivered at a dentist’s office, or fluoride toothpaste and mouthwashes can be purchased for daily use.
Sealants
Dental sealants are commonly used to prevent cavities from growing on teeth. It is a transparent, plastic coat treatment that performs exactly what it says it does – it seals the teeth. They are often used on molars since molars require more protection due to the fact that they chew and grind food.
When dental sealants are placed on a decaying tooth, they both stop the deterioration and reverse it. This is most frequently beneficial for a rotting tooth when it is in the early stages of decay.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Can you get 4 cavities filled at once?
Yes, 4 cavities can be filled at once. It could be done under local or general anaesthesia, depending on the location of decay and the patient’s comfort.
Can you request to be put to sleep for tooth extraction?
Yes, you can request to be put to sleep for tooth extraction. However, it is not recommended to undergo general anesthesia for a single extraction.
Can a dentist put you to sleep for a root canal?
Yes, a dentist can put you to sleep for a root canal. Although, it totally depends on the doctor-patient agreement.
Is getting a cavity filled painful?
Cavity filling is a painful procedure,therefore it is always done under anaesthesia.
Other FAQs about Teeth Cavities that you may be interested in.
Can I wait a month to fill a cavity?