To treat a cavity your dentist will remove the decayed portion of the tooth and then "fill" the area on the tooth where the decayed material once lived.

Fillings Minimal areas of tooth decay may be successfully restored using dental fillings. Traditionally, teeth were restored using amalgam (silver), and this material still has its place in some cases, but we are now able to offer patients a choice in materials. If aesthetics is a concern, composite resin (a tooth colored material) may be used that is virtually undetectable in the mouth.

What Steps Are Involved in Filling a Tooth?

First, the dentist will numb the area around the tooth to be worked on with a local anesthetic. Next, a drill, air abrasion instrument or laser will be used to remove the decayed area. The choice of instrument depends on the individual dentist's comfort level, training, and investment in the particular piece of equipment as well as location and extent of the decay.

Next, your dentist will probe or test the area during the decay removal process to determine if all the decay has been removed. Once the decay has been removed, your dentist will prepare the space for the filling by cleaning the cavity of bacteria and debris. If the decay is near the root, your dentist may first put in a liner made of glass ionomer, composite resin, or other material to protect the nerve. Generally, after the filling is in, your dentist will finish and polish it.

Several additional steps are required for tooth-colored fillings and are as follows. After your dentist has removed the decay and cleaned the area, the tooth-colored material is applied in layers.

Next, a special light that "cures" or hardens each layer is applied.

When the multilayering process is completed, your dentist will shape the composite material to the desired result, trim off any excess material and polish the final restoration.

White Dental Fillings to Match Your Tooth Color...

Dentistry has come a long way since that mouth of silver which appeared when you opened your mouth wide with a smile or laugh. Today there are miracle compounds of ceramic and plastic that replace those metallic silver globes when a filling is necessary. The dentist can color the compound to match the color of your tooth and no one will be the wiser on how many cavities you had as a kid.

Your teeth will all look like the perfect vision that nature intended.