General dentistry
When decay is caught early, a filling is a straightforward appointment. We remove the decayed portion, clean the cavity, then build the tooth back up in layers of composite resin, curing each layer with a light. The result is shaped and polished to match the way your tooth met its neighbors before.
Composite has a real advantage over older silver amalgam beyond appearance. Amalgam is held in by shape, so the cavity has to be cut wider to lock it in. Composite bonds to the tooth, so we can be more conservative and keep more of your own enamel.
Fillings do not last forever. Edges wear, and bacteria eventually work into the margin. At every exam we check the ones you already have, and we tell you when one is starting to fail rather than waiting for it to fail loudly.
Step by step
Local anesthetic so you feel pressure but not pain. Nitrous oxide is available if the appointment makes you uneasy.
Only the affected structure comes out. Healthy enamel and dentin stay.
The cavity is cleaned and conditioned so the composite will bond properly.
Resin goes in thin layers, each one hardened with a curing light so the filling sets fully.
We contour the filling and adjust until your bite feels the way it did before.
Worth knowing
Early decay often shows up as a brief sensitivity to cold drinks or sugar in one specific spot.
A cavity on the side of a tooth creates a catch point. If floss shreds in the same place every time, something is there.
Visible staining in a groove or a rough patch your tongue keeps finding is worth having checked.
Common questions
With good home care, many last a decade or more. Location and bite force matter. Fillings on chewing surfaces of back teeth take the most punishment.
Composite is shade-matched to your tooth. In most cases you will not be able to pick it out afterward.
Sometimes, if the crack is shallow. A crack that runs deep usually needs a crown to hold the tooth together, and we will tell you which one you are dealing with.
New patients welcome
We want to help you keep your teeth healthy for a lifetime. Contact us today and we will find a convenient time.