Fillings Specialist

What is the process of getting a filling?

There are 2 main parts in getting a dental filling. First, Dr. Garcia will take the dead and decaying tissue out of the tooth. The only material that's removed is that which can't be saved. After that, the area is cleaned to make sure that all the bacteria is gone. Then, the filling will be placed within the tooth and secured.

What does it feel like to get a filling?

Patients won't feel anything because they'll receive an anesthetic before the filling is placed. At most, the patient may experience an odd sensation, which is the dental drill. It's not painful thanks to the anesthetic.

What type of anesthesia is used?

At Smiles By Design, a computer-controlled local anesthesia system is used in place of anesthesia injections. Using the STA, The Wand system, a single tooth can be fully anesthetized without affecting the rest of the mouth. This allows for a far easier filling process, and for faster recovery afterward as well.

What material is the filling made of?

It can vary, with the type of filling being largely up to the patient's personal preferences. The most common kinds of dental fillings today are porcelain, silver amalgam, plastic, resin, and gold.

Is there any way to fill cavities without the dental drill?

Yes, in fact, Smiles By Design offers Air Abrasion for the treatment of small cavities. With Air Abrasion, tiny particles in powder form are blown towards the hole in the tooth using a small wand. These particles form the filling, precisely filling the hole with no need for a dental drill.

What should a patient do after getting a filling?

After getting a new filling, patients can expect some sensitivity to heat, cold, and pressure for a few days up to a few weeks. Most people can go back to eating and drinking normally within a day. With silver amalgam fillings, patients should avoid hard or chewy foods for 24 hours. Other types of fillings tend to set up more quickly and don't require the patient to avoid certain foods. Most patients feel fine within a few hours of having a new filling installed.