Tooth Filling

At Groveland Dental, we understand that discovering you need a tooth filling can cause anxiety. Rest assured, modern tooth filling procedures are quick, virtually painless, and designed to restore your tooth’s function while preventing further decay. Dr. Colaizy and our experienced team provide gentle, effective tooth filling treatments that preserve your natural smile and dental health for years to come.

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A dentist doctor treats caries on a tooth of a young beautiful woman in a dental clinic. Tooth filling.

Portrait of female patient having treatment at dentist, close up

Understanding Tooth Filling

Tooth fillings are one of the most common dental procedures performed today, serving as an effective solution for treating cavities and restoring damaged teeth. When tooth decay develops, it creates a cavity or hole in your tooth enamel. If left untreated, this decay can progress deeper into the tooth, potentially affecting the nerve and causing pain or infection. A tooth filling stops this process by removing the decayed portion and filling the space with durable material that restores the tooth’s strength, function, and appearance.

Today’s tooth filling options offer superior durability and natural-looking results compared to older materials. At Groveland Dental, we use advanced techniques and materials that blend seamlessly with your natural teeth, allowing you to smile, eat, and speak with complete confidence.

Benefits of Tooth Filling

Offers Budget-Friendly Restoration

Compared to more extensive dental procedures like crowns, inlays, or implants, tooth fillings provide an economical solution for treating decay. The dental filling procedure requires less chair time, fewer materials, and can be completed in a single appointment, making it one of the most cost-effective restorative options available for cavity treatment.

Allows for Natural Speech Patterns

Large or irregularly shaped cavities, especially in front teeth, can affect your pronunciation and speech clarity. By restoring proper tooth contours, dental fillings help maintain normal tongue positioning and airflow during speech. This restoration of natural form ensures that your verbal communication remains clear and unaffected by dental issues.

Prevents Tooth Fractures

Untreated cavities weaken your tooth structure, making it susceptible to cracks and breaks even during normal chewing. Dental fillings strengthen compromised teeth by replacing missing structures and providing internal support. At Groveland Dental, our precisely placed tooth fillings distribute biting forces evenly across your tooth, reducing the risk of fractures that could lead to more extensive restorative needs.

Preserves Natural Tooth Structure

Unlike more invasive procedures that require significant removal of tooth structure, fillings are a conservative treatment option that preserves as much of your natural tooth as possible. Our approach focuses on removing only the decayed portion while leaving healthy tooth structure intact. Your natural teeth are stronger and function better than any replacement option, so preserving them is always our priority.

Halts Infection Progression

When bacteria penetrate your tooth enamel and create a cavity, they continue advancing toward the pulp chamber where your tooth’s nerve resides. A timely dental filling procedure removes this infected material and stops bacteria from causing a more serious infection. Without proper tooth cavity treatment, these infections can lead to abscesses, severe pain, and eventually require root canal therapy or extraction.

Our Tooth Filling Process

Precise Cavity Diagnosis

We begin your tooth filling treatment with advanced diagnostic techniques to accurately assess the extent of the decay. We use digital X-rays and specialized instruments to detect cavities at their earliest stages, including those hidden between teeth or beneath existing dental work. We’ll explain our findings in clear terms and answer any questions about your cavity treatment options.

Material Selection Consultation

Based on your specific needs, we will help you select the ideal dental filling material for your cavity treatment. Factors we consider include the location and size of your cavity, your aesthetic preferences, your dental history, and your insurance coverage. This personalized approach ensures your tooth filling meets both functional and cosmetic requirements.

Decay Removal

After thoroughly numbing the area with topical and local anesthetics, Dr. Colaizy carefully removes the decayed portion of your tooth using precision instruments and techniques. Our gentle approach to cavity preparation preserves maximum healthy tooth structure while completely eliminating decay before the dental filling application begins.

Precise Filling Placement

The success of your tooth filling depends on expert placement and finishing techniques. After preparing the cavity, we apply the selected filling material with meticulous attention to detail, ensuring proper adhesion and adaptation to your tooth structure. Each tooth filling is carefully shaped to restore your natural tooth contours and properly align with your bite, providing both function and comfort.

Comprehensive Follow-Up Care

We provide detailed instructions for post-treatment care and schedule a brief follow-up to ensure optimal results. Some temporary sensitivity is normal after a cavity-filling procedure, particularly with deeper restorations. We’ll check your bite alignment at your follow-up appointment and make any necessary adjustments to your tooth filling for maximum comfort.

Beautiful caucasian woman visiting dentist orthodontist, whitening her teeth, filling tooth. Orthodont curing caries, examining mouth cavity decay.

Why Choose Us for Tooth Filling

At Groveland Dental, we combine technical expertise with a gentle, patient-centered approach to tooth fillings. Dr. Colaizy stays current with the latest advancements in dental materials and techniques to provide you with fillings that look natural, feel comfortable, and last longer. Our practice uses digital technology for precise cavity detection, allowing us to identify decay earlier and provide more conservative treatments.

Our team takes the time to explain each step of the process and ensures you’re completely comfortable before proceeding. We also offer flexible scheduling options to accommodate your busy life, making necessary dental care as convenient as possible.

Revitalize Your Dental Health Now

Don’t let tooth decay compromise your oral health or confidence. Dr. Colaizy and the Groveland Dental team are ready to provide the gentle, effective tooth filling treatment you deserve. Contact us today at 651-298-0024 to schedule your appointment. For more tips on maintaining your dental health, follow us on Facebook and Instagram.

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FAQs

How long does a filling take?

A typical tooth filling procedure takes between 30 to 60 minutes per tooth, depending on the size and location of the cavity. Simple, single-surface fillings may require as little as 20 minutes, while more complex cases involving multiple surfaces might take longer. We schedule appropriate appointment times based on your specific needs to ensure we never have to rush the procedure.

How long do fillings last?

The lifespan of tooth fillings varies depending on the material used and your oral hygiene habits. On average, composite (tooth-colored) fillings typically last 5-7 years. Gold fillings offer exceptional durability, often lasting 15-30 years or even longer with proper care. Factors that affect longevity include your diet, teeth-grinding habits, and how well you maintain your oral hygiene.

Do fillings hurt?

Most patients experience little to no discomfort during the tooth-filling procedure thanks to modern anesthetics and gentle techniques. Before beginning treatment, we thoroughly numb the area with a local anesthetic, ensuring you won’t feel pain while we work. Some patients may feel slight pressure or vibration, but not pain. After the procedure, mild sensitivity to temperature or pressure may occur for a few days but typically resolves quickly.

What do fillings look like?

Today’s tooth fillings offer excellent aesthetic options to suit your preferences and needs. Tooth-colored fillings create a seamless appearance that blends perfectly with your smile, making them ideal for visible areas. Gold fillings provide a distinctive, premium appearance with a warm, metallic luster that some patients prefer for their durability and traditional appeal.

What are fillings made of?

We offer premium filling materials to meet your specific needs. Composite resin fillings are made of a tooth-colored mixture of plastic and fine glass particles that bond directly to your tooth structure, creating a seamless restoration that strengthens your tooth. For patients seeking maximum durability, gold fillings provide exceptional longevity and are crafted from gold alloys that contain gold, copper, and other metals that resist corrosion and wear extremely well over time.