Fillings

Fillings are used to restore teeth when they have minor to moderate damage from decay, cracking or chipping. They are completed within just one comfortable visit to our office. Fillings prevent decay from spreading further into your mouth and reaching the sensitive inner nerve located in the root. Should that happen, you would need root canal treatment. Instead, it is important to catch decay and treat it in the early stages using a simple filling.

The process of filling a tooth begins with removing any and all decay in the tooth. The tooth and the surrounding area will be numbed beforehand, ensuring that you do not feel any pain. After removing the decay, the remaining tooth structure is cleaned and bonding material is applied to ensure the filling material bonds to the tooth. Our office uses composite fillings that are the same shade as your tooth so they will blend right in with your smile. The filling is then hardened with a light cure, making it ready for immediate use. The filling will be shaped to fit naturally with your bite and match your tooth’s anatomy.

What to Expect After Getting a Filling

The numbness caused by your local anesthesia should wear off within a couple of hours. While you are still numb, it’s best to avoid eating on that side of your mouth to make sure you don’t bite your tongue or cheek. Some sensitivity to hot and cold is normal in the first couple of days after getting a tooth filled. If it persists beyond that, or you have any actual pain when biting, it could signal that an adjustment to your filling needs to be made. If this is the case, don’t hesitate to call our office to schedule a simple adjustment!