Did you know that nearly 90% of adults have some sort of tooth decay? Because cavities are so common, dental fillings are a regular occurrence in our Camas dental office. And because you want to be able to bite down comfortably and have a beautiful smile, we use composite resin to restore your tooth’s appearance and functionality.
The Composite Filling Appointment: What to Expect
If you need a tooth filling, it typically takes between 30 minutes and an hour, depending on the severity of the decay.
We recommend a routine dental exam and cleaning every six months; that gives us a chance to remove stubborn cavity-causing plaque and tartar. Also, if you have a cavity, we can treat it early before it worsens.
Here’s what you can expect on the day of your procedure:
- Exam and cleaning — We’ll review your x-rays before cleaning and drying the affected tooth. We’ll also choose the composite resin that matches your natural tooth color.
- Numbing your mouth — To ensure your comfort, we’ll place a numbing gel on your gums before administering a local anesthetic. You shouldn’t feel anything once it takes effect.
- Removing decay — Once your mouth is completely numb, we’ll remove the damaged and decayed part of your tooth. Then, we’ll clean and disinfect the area, making sure to remove any debris or bacteria.
- Etching and bonding — Now that your tooth is clean, we’ll apply a special gel that prepares your tooth for the composite resin. This gel roughens the enamel and makes it possible for the resin to bond to your natural tooth. Then, we’ll remove this material and replace it with liquid adhesive.
- Layering the resin — Next, we’ll carefully apply thin layers of tooth-colored composite resin. After applying each layer, we’ll use a special blue curing light. We’ll continue to add layers until your cavity is filled.
- The final touches — We’ll trim and shape the composite resin to blend with your other teeth, and once we’re satisfied with the results, we’ll polish your tooth’s surface so it feels smooth and has a natural shine.
- Checking your bite — For the last step, we’ll have you bite down on some special paper so we can check your bite alignment. If necessary, we’ll make adjustments before sending you home.
Composite Fillings Camas, WA
For questions about how we use composite resin to repair tooth decay, please don’t hesitate to contact our caring team! At Camas Dentistry, we love helping our patients restore their oral health, and we’d love to welcome you to our comfortable dental office.
To schedule a consultation or appointment, you can call us at (360) 828-5502.
We look forward to hearing from you!