Fillings

Most people will require fillings at some point, and having a trusted dental care team to turn to makes these common restorations easier to navigate. For many people in and around Mission Hills, California, Shant Terteryan, DDS, and the team at Dental Blvd are the providers of choice for fillings and all other restorative care. Book your visit online or by phone today.

How do cavities develop?

Almost everyone will develop at least one cavity over the course of life. Cavities are small holes that begin by destroying portions of your tooth enamel. Left untreated, cavities can eventually enter the deeper layers of your tooth tissue. 

They develop as plaque accumulates on the surface of your teeth, creating acids that remove some of the minerals in your enamel. That allows bacteria and acids to enter, where they continue to destroy your tooth tissue. 

Caught early, cavities are sometimes limited to the very outermost layers of tooth tissue and are easily treated. Over time, however, fillings become more involved as the decay advances deeper inside the tooth. It’s even possible for cavities to eventually reach your bone tissue.

What are dental fillings?

Dental fillings treat cavities by removing all areas of damaged tooth tissue and filling the resulting depression or hole with a strong dental material. They’re among the most common dental restoration treatments in both children and adults. 

You have options when it comes to choosing a filling material. Metal amalgam was once the industry standard, but it is not frequently used today because it creates a visibly dark area within the tooth. Now, composite resin and porcelain are more commonly used materials in dental fillings. 

What is the process for getting dental fillings?

Advanced imaging shows your dentist the degree of decay and guides the filling process. On the day of your visit, your dentist administers a quick injection of local anesthetic to numb the area. 

Then, your dentist removes all areas of decay, taking care to preserve as much healthy tooth tissue as possible. Once the prepared tooth is disinfected and prepared, your dentist fills the cavity with your chosen material. Smoothing and shaping the filling material is the final step. 

Having fillings placed is a relatively simple process and usually takes less than an hour. Your dental team checks your fillings along with any other restorations during your future dental exams and cleaning visits at Dental Blvd.

If you suspect you need a filling or are overdue for a comprehensive dental exam, call the office or spend a few moments online to schedule a visit at Dental Blvd.