Services
Fillings
A filling repairs a tooth damaged by decay, and it's usually done in a single visit. The interesting part is the decision about when one is genuinely needed, which is less automatic than it looks from the chair.
How a cavity forms
Bacteria in plaque feed on sugars and starches left on the teeth and produce acid as a byproduct. That acid gradually dissolves the mineral structure of the enamel, a process called demineralization. Early on, fluoride and better hygiene can sometimes slow or reverse it. Once the acid breaks through the enamel into the softer dentin underneath, the damage doesn't heal on its own, and a filling stops it from spreading further into the tooth.
What happens during the appointment
- The area is numbed with a local anesthetic so the procedure is comfortable.
- Decayed tooth structure is removed, leaving only healthy tooth behind.
- The cavity is cleaned and prepared to hold the filling material securely.
- A tooth-colored composite resin, the material used in most fillings placed today, is applied in layers and hardened with a curing light.
- The filling is shaped and the bite is checked so it feels even against your other teeth.
What to expect afterward
Numbness typically wears off within a few hours. Mild sensitivity to hot, cold, or pressure in the treated tooth is common for a few days to a couple of weeks as it settles, and usually isn't a sign anything went wrong. Call instead of waiting it out if sensitivity is severe, doesn't improve after two or three weeks, or your bite feels off.