How Does the Dentist Fix a Cavity? | OR & WA Top Dentists

How Does the Dentist Fix a Cavity?

curly haired woman holding her jaw in pain because she needs a cavity filled

 

If you have been told you have a cavity that needs filling, you may be wondering what that process entails. In fact, fillings are straightforward and routine procedures. In this blog post, we’ll let you know what you can expect if you’re headed into our office to have a cavity filled.

Composite Fillings

In most cases, cavities will be fixed using a filling. Fillings can be made from several different types of material, including metal and ceramic. Here at Smiles Dental we recommend composite fillings. The material provides a safe durable option, that will not only feel natural, but will have a natural look that blends right in with the rest of your permanent teeth.

What to Expect

Having a filling done may sound like a pain, but we ensure that there’s no pain involved. It’s a routine procedure, and it’s a pretty quick one, too! Getting a cavity filled takes just one brief visit to our office. The dentist will start by numbing the area, then he or she will go to work removing the decayed area. Once that process is complete and the tooth is clean, it’s time to fill the hole that’s left. The composite material is added, shaped, and hardened. That’s it! Once any lingering feeling of numbness wears off, you’ll feel as good as new.

Prevent Decay with Great Oral Care

Getting a cavity filled is simple and straightforward. However, the best case scenario is never to need a filling in the first place, because you have no cavities! While cavities are sometimes unavoidable for medical and genetic reasons, great oral care gives you the best chance at preventing tooth decay. Be sure to brush at least twice daily, floss once per day, and see us here at Smiles Dental twice each year for your cleaning and exam.

Contact Us

Top-Notch Smiles Start in Our Dental Office

The Smiles team is pleased to provide excellent dentistry in the Pacific Northwest. Contact the office nearest you today to learn more about what we can do for your smile!

Visit our sister locations at Optima Dental Spa!