A tooth filling repairs a tooth that has lost structure to decay, a fracture or a chip, while the damage is still limited to the tooth itself and has not reached the pulp. The dentist takes away what is decayed or unsound and rebuilds the missing part, so that the tooth holds its shape and carries chewing force again.
When a filling is needed
Decay begins when bacteria in plaque turn sugars into acid, and the acid dissolves the tooth surface. Left alone it works inward, and once it reaches the pulp a filling is no longer enough: root canal treatment or extraction follows instead. Teeth also chip or crack from biting hard things such as ice or bone. Sensitivity to cold or to sweetness, a rough edge found with the tongue, or food that catches in one spot are the usual first signs.
How the treatment works
The tooth is numbed where that is needed, and the decayed tissue is taken out until only sound structure remains. The cavity is shaped, and the filling material is placed and bonded, built up in layers on a larger repair. It is then contoured to the anatomy of the tooth and checked against the opposing teeth so that the bite closes evenly. Tooth-colored composite is used where appearance matters.
Aftercare
The tooth can be sensitive to hot and cold for a short period, and that usually fades. If the bite feels high, or the tooth aches when you close, the filling can be adjusted, and that is worth a call rather than something to wait out. A filling does not make a tooth immune to decay: new decay can start at the margin where the filling meets the tooth, which is why cleaning between the teeth matters as much as brushing.
Book this treatment
Pick a time that suits you. We will call you back to confirm the appointment.