Fillings

A filling repairs a tooth that has a cavity, by removing the decayed part and sealing the space.

What happens

Usually one visit.

01
Step 1: Exam and options
Dr. Loera shows you the tooth and explains what she would do and what it costs.
02
Step 2: Numbing
She numbs the area and checks it before she begins.
03
Step 3: The repair
She removes the decay, then places the filling in layers and shapes it.
04
Step 4: The bite
We check how your teeth meet, and adjust it until it feels right.

Comfort
We use a local anesthetic. The numbness lasts a few hours. Avoid chewing hot food until it has gone.
Material
Most fillings are tooth-colored composite, a resin. Other materials suit some teeth. She explains the choice for yours.
Risks and aftercare
The tooth can be sensitive for a few days. A filling can chip or leak over time. Call us if the bite feels high or the tooth aches.
How it's billed
The fee depends on the size of the filling. The fee is in your written estimate before we start.
How fees work

A cavity can ache, but it often doesn't. An exam, and sometimes an X-ray, shows it.

Sometimes it can be watched. Dr. Loera tells you when she would wait and when she wouldn't.

That depends on its size, your bite and your habits. We tell you what to watch for.

Wait until the numbness has gone, then eat as you like.

Dr. Ariadna Loera, DDS, general dentist, licensed in Washington.