Dental Fillings: What You Can Expect

Learning that you require a dental filling is something that might strike you as both good and bad. Good, of course, because you will be able to repair your tooth, say goodbye to any discomfort, and enjoy a restored smile. Bad, on the other hand, because you may not know what to expect from the treatment. If your lack of knowledge regarding the steps is what causes you to hesitate, we invite you to become familiar with the basics. Waiting to schedule restorative treatments can lead to severe side effects (like infection), so the sooner you fill up on information and schedule your treatment, the better.

Step #1: Ensuring You’re Comfortable

We will begin your restorative treatment by establishing comfort. This usually includes the use of a local anesthetic to numb the tooth and surrounding oral tissues. However, if you feel particularly anxious or require additional numbing, we also offer sedation – please ask us about your options.

Step #2: Removing Decay

Your cavity is a small hole in your tooth where your tissue has decayed and continues to decay. We will remove the diseased tissues from the tooth. Fortunately, this will stop the progression of the disease once we complete the filling, so your tooth is fully restored.

Step #3: Filling The Opening

Once the decayed tissue and debris has been completely removed from your cavity, we will move forward with your dental filling by placing composite (a synthetic acrylic-resin material that we color-match to your tooth tissue) into the area. We will mold and set the composite.

Step #4: Adjusting The Filling

To complete your dental filling, we will smooth and adjust it to promote a comfortable, balanced bite.