The sooner we’re able to treat a cavity, the better. That’s why we always encourage our patients to call our office at the first twinge of dental pain. Our dentists may recommend that you get a filling to restore a tooth with a small cavity. But once the decay spreads, you may need more intensive treatment, such as a crown or root canal.
Here’s what you can expect when getting a filling.
Diagnosis
First, one of our dentists will need to examine your teeth and gums. We’ll also take dental X-rays to get a better look at what’s happening beneath the surface of your tooth. Sometimes cavities like to hide between teeth, which is not visible to the naked eye. The good news is that our dentists will be able to spot this type of decay in your X-rays.
Once your dentist has diagnosed the source of your pain, they’ll develop a custom treatment plan to restore your oral health. In general, we always do everything within our power to conserve as much natural tooth structure as possible.
Treatment
In general, it’ll take one appointment to repair your tooth with a filling. We’ll have you get comfortable in the dental chair and then inject a local anesthetic into the gum tissue by your tooth. All you’ll feel is a little pinch from the needle, then the anesthetic should work relatively fast to numb the tooth and surrounding tissue.
the procedure. Our dentist will use a drill to carefully remove only the tooth structure that’s decayed. They’ll leave the rest of the tooth intact to receive the , as shown in the diagram below. The different types of fillings from left to right are gold, silver amalgam, and composite resin.
Our office uses white fillings, which are made of composite resin. As such, your new filling will blend in with the rest of your teeth. Your filling will also look and feel natural so you won’t even notice it’s there!
Your dentist will blend a custom batch of composite resin to match the color of your tooth enamel. They’ll then shape and mold the resin to your tooth before hardening it in place with a special bonding light.
Aftercare
After your appointment, you should be able to resume your normal activities. Although, your cheek may feel numb from the local anesthetic. For this reason, you’ll need to be careful about eating after your procedure. Maybe stick to soft foods that don’t require a lot of chewing until the numbness goes away.
Your composite filling will last about seven years. But you’ll need to take good care of your teeth and gums to ensure it lasts this long. Certain factors can decrease the , such as grinding your teeth when you sleep or not practicing good oral hygiene.
During your routine visits with us, one of our dentists will examine your filling to ensure it remains in good shape. They’ll recommend replacing it if they spot signs of wear and tear.
Request an Appointment With Gasior Family Dental
Our family dentists in Northville, MI, are accepting new patients of all ages. To request an appointment, please call Gasior Family Dental at (248) 348-7997. You may also fill out our online contact form and someone from our office will reach out to you soon.
