Composite Filling Procedure Explained from Start to Finish

Dental filling is a routine procedure at Montclair Dental Care in Oakland, California, often completed in less than 30 minutes. However, like many treatments, you may feel anxious ahead of your cavity-filling procedure, but when you know what to expect, you’ll be better prepared to face the treatment. Keep reading to learn the step-by-step process of treating a cavity with composite fillings.

How are composite fillings placed?

Unlike amalgam fillings created from a mixture of metals, composite filling is a tooth-colored material made from finely grounded glass and acrylic plastic. Composite fillings are used in cavity treatment, but their aesthetic properties make them suitable for improving the color and shape of your teeth. 

If you’ve been scheduled for a composite filling, this is what you can expect.

• Initial consultation: We don’t get straight to treating your tooth with a filling. We’ll examine your tooth using X-rays to determine the extent of decay and whether a typical filling is sufficient. Where your decay or damage isn’t too extensive or deep, your dentist will likely recommend a dental crown
• Tooth preparation: Before the tooth filling procedure, we’ll anesthetize the area around the affected tooth to ensure you don’t feel any pain. Next, we’ll carefully remove the decayed/damaged portion of the tooth. Unlike metal fillings that require aggressive tooth shaping, placing composite fillings only requires removing a small amount of the enamel, preserving more of the tooth structure
• Placing the filling: The dentist will apply a bonding agent on the prepared tooth to create a firm bonding surface. Then, we will layer composite resin onto the prepared area to fill the cavity. Then, the dentist uses a curing light to harden the filling to create a durable restoration
• Final touches: We will sculpt and shape the filling to match the contours of your natural tooth. This step ensures the filled tooth blends seamlessly with the surrounding teeth to create undetectable results. What’s more, reshaping your tooth restores your natural bite, allowing you to chew and bite comfortably

After treatment, we’ll give you aftercare tips to ensure your restoration lasts and keeps looking its best. Caring for your filling includes brushing, flossing, and visiting a dentist every six months. When well maintained, composite fillings can last 8-10 years before they are due for replacement. 

Composite fillings near me

Want to restore your smile with composite fillings? If you are in Oakland, CA, and its environs, call (510) 328-7792 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Kenneth Childers.  

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