Let’s face it no one likes being told that they have a cavity on one of their teeth. With a little luck the area of decay will be small enough that it will only require a filling. Without a filling the tooth will continue to decay and would require more serious procedures, where it might require a crown or even a root canal.
Before the procedure your dentist will discuss numbing options available to you. Most people choose to have novocaine injected into the surrounding gum tissue.
Once the area is sufficiently numb the dentist will prep the area for the procedure. This usually involves some basic cleaning. The dentist may also decide to place a small rubber dam over the tooth to help them focus on the area and limit the chances of debris going into your mouth.
During longer procedures the dentist might also place a bite block in your mouth. This triangle shapes foam wedge will help you keep your mouth open when your jaw muscles get tired. This is more common when working on molars.
Once the area is prepped the dentist will start to remove the area of decay, leaving only healthy tooth behind. This involves the use of a high-speed hand piece also known as a drill. The dentist will also use suction and water rinse to remove and capture any debris.
After all of the decay has been removed they will apply the filling material and polish the tooth to make sure it is smooth.
Fillings can be made from a variety of substances including gold, amalgam-silver, composite plastic and porcelain.
If you are concerned that you might need a filling please feel free to call us at 619-591-8945 to schedule an appointment.
