How Do Dentists Do Fillings?

How Do Dentists Do Fillings?While we strive to prevent cavities whenever possible, sometimes they do develop. And when cavities rear their ugly head, dental fillings are one of our best and most versatile options for treating them. At Palola Dental, we’re proud to provide comprehensive dental treatment to patients throughout the Waipahu, HI area, including offering dental fillings, and we’d like to share some insight on exactly how our dentists go about placing fillings in your teeth.

How Dental Fillings Work

At its core, a dental filling is just what it sounds like: a treatment where your dentist fills the space left by a cavity. Cavities are effectively “holes” in the teeth, so fillings work to treat them by eliminating bacteria and filling the hole left behind by the cavity. The procedure itself has a number of steps:

  • First, your dentist will carefully clean and prep the area, using specialized tools to remove decayed and dead dental tissue and bacteria. After removing all damaged tissue, they’ll sterilize the tooth and prep it for the filling.
  • With the tooth prepared, your dentist will then fill in the cavity using a strong biocompatible material. Fillings can be made from a variety of materials including silver amalgam, gold, porcelain, and tooth-colored dental composite.
  • Finally, your dentist will carefully shape the filling to blend in seamlessly with your natural tooth. After the filling sets in place, your tooth quickly heals and arrives back to normal, completing your healthy smile.

Contact Your Waipahu, HI Dentist

Dental fillings are one of the most important and frequently recommended treatments we offer, and if you think you might be in need of a filling, we’d be happy to help. Contact us today to learn more about how fillings can improve your smile or schedule a check-up appointment at our office. We can’t wait to hear from you, and we look forward to helping you achieve your dream smile!