A couple questions about cavities...?

Question

Can dentists change colors of fillings? Do they make fillings to be the color of teeth? Or will I end up with a patch of bright white on my front tooth?

How long will it take for the EVIL NUMBING!!! to go away? So I can talk normally? Will it start to hurt when the numbing goes away?

I have to leave school at 11 to get two cavities filled side by side, should I even head back to school?

So nervous...

I also remember that when I was younger and also very cavity prone, I remember seeing the dentist take actual SCISSORS and cutting something up. I freaked out about it, but they comforted me about it. What would the dentist be using scissors anyway?

Eek, and I have to go to the school dance 3 days later. Will the sensetivity be gone by then?

Answer 1

Can dentists change colors of fillings?

Yes.

Do they make fillings to be the color of teeth?

Yes.

Or will I end up with a patch of bright white on my front tooth?

Absolutely not. There are 20 some shades avail to most dentists and if they're worth their salt, they shoudl be able to mix the shades (jsut like a painter mixes from colors on the palette!)

How long will it take for the EVIL NUMBING!!! to go away?

If you hate the "evil" numbing so much, you should try having it done w/o anesthetic. Gives you a good appreciation for the Lidocaine.... :) Seriously tho, if the filling is shallow enough, you hardly feel the filling more than clipping nails or cutting hair, so ask Dr if this is a possibility.
Oh, as for how long...well, maybe 3, 4 hrs tops.

So I can talk normally?

see above.

Will it start to hurt when the numbing goes away?

white fillings can be sensitive for a couple days, weeks... tough to say. I have one (front) done in Feb that still bugs me once in a while, but that was a dentist I wouldn't have work on me again anyway, sooooooo... :)

I have to leave school at 11 to get two cavities filled side by side, should I even head back to school?

enh. if your appt is 11:30 you'll be done by 12:30, so if you can get a couple hours , sure go back to school. I went back to class once after having my eyes dilated and that did NOT work! lol

So nervous...

- Don't be! won't hurt as much as, say, getting ears pierced! no worries. ask if your doc has nitrous oxide (lauging gas). makes is fun.

laters; good luck!

Answer 2

Today they make fillings match tooth color, so you should have nothing to worry about. I got a few cavities filled, and you can't even tell I had cavities. So, you'll be fine.

The numbing should go away around 2 hours after your appointment. Just make sure the dentist gives it enough time to set in before they start drilling.

If I were you, I would just take the rest of the day off from school. It's only a few hours and you won't be able to talk right anyway.

Getting fillings is a breeze, don't worry, you'll do great!

PS - Don't listen to the guy above me, they don't hurt at all after the numbing wears off, plus they don't even give you medication to take. However, if you do happen to have some pain, just take a tylenol and you'll be fine.

Good luck!

Answer 3

If you are getting a filling on the front of your tooth, then your dentist really should match the color of the filling to your tooth color, it most certainly can be done. Dont worry about the numbing, I personally think that is the best part! Getting to lay back and relax... You dont sound very relaxed, but there is no real reason to worry, it will only take about an hour or so and then you will be able to leave, and you should be fine. The numbness only lasts a little while longer, and you should be able to go back to school if you want to :) Cheer up!

Answer 4

There is no reason not to go to back to school. I to try to help ease your concerns I am an adult who is having my umteenth cavity filled in about a week and I have to go to work for PM shift after I get mine filled. The numbing starts to go away within a half hour or so after you leave the dentist office and yes you will talk normally. Your teeth should not hurt once the numbing wears off.

Answer 5

Your dentist will use a shade guide, so the filling will be the same colour as the tooth. The freezing usually lasts 1 1/2 to 2 hours.

Answer 6

Yes the dentist can change the color of the fillings.
Takes around 1 and a half for the numbing to go away.
Yes, you will be able to go to school if you go with a good dentist, mmm

I was the helper for 2 yrs of my aunt who is a dentist.

Answer 7

you'll be fine and yes, the dentist will match up the filling color with your teeth as closely as possible. the numbing will take a while to go away and the teeth might be a little sensitive, but it's temporary. don't go back to school if you're uncomfortable, but don't be too nervous about it either. good luck!

Answer 8

Most definitely...a complete porcelain set will have several dozen shades that he will select from to mix the filling material from. The same with a crown, the lab tech will get a prescription from the dentist and on it, among other things, will be the shade of the porcelain (A-3, C-4, etc.) so as to match to the adjacent teeth.

Answer 9

It won't look too obvious, don't worry. Never had cavities, but my dad did, and he got white fillings.
Looks natural.

The numbing will be gone in about 2 hours, but it depends upon how many needles are given/where.

You should, it won't hurt too much.
I had a podatrist slice through my toes, and I watched every minute of it, then within half an hour, I was walking normally.
Not a great comparison, but the numbing will feel awkward and icky.

Answer 10

Ok, there are two types of fillings silver and porcelin. When the numbing goes away it will hurt if you dont immediately take your pain medicine that the dentist perscribed for you.