Dental
Fillings
Learn About Dental Fillings
Dental fillings are most often used to treat a cavity or an area of tooth decay. This treatment involves removing the decayed portion of the tooth and then “filling” the area from which the decayed material was removed.
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Tooth-colored fillings, also called composite bondings, are also commonly used to repair teeth with other minor damage such as chips, cracks, or gaps.
What To Expect In A Dental Fillings Procedure
First, Dr. Sam Koo will use a local anesthetic to numb the area around the affected tooth. Next, he will carefully and thoroughly remove the decayed area. After checking that all the decay has been removed, our dentist will prepare the space for the filling by cleaning the area of bacteria and debris. If the decay is near the root, Dr. Koo may first put in a liner made of glass ionomer, composite resin, or other material to protect the nerve. After the filling is placed, our dentist will finish and polish it.
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Several additional steps are needed for tooth-colored fillings, and are as follows: After the decay has been removed and the area thoroughly cleaned, your dentist will select a composite resin shade-matched to your natural tooth color. The tooth-colored material is applied in layers, and we apply a special blue light that “cures” or hardens each layer applied. When the multilayering process is completed, your dentist will trim off any excess material, check and readjust for correct fit and bite as necessary, and polish the final restoration.