Fillings Specialist

What’s a filling?

A filling is a dental procedure that the K Street Dental & Orthodontic Group performs to fill in and seal up a hole in your tooth. They’re most typically done to treat cavities caused by tooth decay, but they are also used to fill in the space left by any hole, such as the access hole drilled into your tooth during a root canal. 

The word “filling” is used to refer to both the material used to fill the hole and the process of placing that material.

What are fillings made of?

K Street Dental & Orthodontic Group offers a variety of filling types, all of which have different benefits for your needs, preferences, and budgets. Some of the considerations your dentist takes into account when choosing your filling material are the location of the tooth’s decay, the extent of the decay, any allergies you might have, and cost. 

Some common filling materials include:

Gold

Gold fillings are more costly and require multiple visits to place, but they’re strong and very long-lasting. 

Amalgam (silver)

Silver fillings are durable and inexpensive, but they’re also quite noticeable, which makes them a better option for fillings in your molars.

Porcelain

Porcelain fillings are slightly more costly than most other materials, but they can be made to match the color of your teeth and are very resistant to staining.

Composite (plastic) resins

Like porcelain, composite can also be matched to your tooth color, which makes them a popular choice for fillings that are visible. Composites are more prone to chipping and wearing down, though, making them a better choice for smaller fillings.

What happens when I get a filling?

A filling typically only takes one quick visit to K Street Dental & Orthodontic Group. Your dentist first numbs your tooth and the surrounding tissues with a local anesthetic. Once the anesthesia takes effect, your dentist uses a drill, an air abrasion instrument, or a laser to remove all of the decay from your tooth.

Once your tooth is free of decay, your dentist cleans out the cavity to eliminate any remaining bacteria or debris. Finally, they seal it with the filling material. Some filling materials need to be exposed to a special light to harden, but that only takes a matter of minutes.

After your filling hardens, your tooth is healthy and happy once again!

Don’t let your tooth decay get any worse. Get your oral health back on track with a filling at K Street Dental & Orthodontic Group. You can schedule your visit by phone or online.