01.
Process of Fillings and Sealants
The process for a dental filling includes:
Exam and X-rays: Before anything starts, we will check the tooth and take an X-ray to see how deep the cavity goes. This will tell us if we can fix it quickly or if we need to look at other options.
Numbing the Area: A local anesthetic is used to numb the tooth and the surrounding gum area. You will feel a little pressure during this procedure, but minimal pain.
Remove and Clean: We’ll remove the decayed part of the tooth and clean the area to prepare for the filling.
Placing the Filling: The filling material—usually composite resin (the tooth-colored stuff)—is layered into the space. Each layer may be hardened with a special curing light to ensure it stays put.
Shaping: After all layers are in, we will shape the filling to match your natural bite and polish it to feel smooth and natural.
The process for a dental sealant includes:
Clean the Tooth: We’ll clean the tooth to ensure we remove all trapped food and bacteria.
Prep the Tooth: Next, the tooth is dried, and a special solution is applied to roughen the surface and prepare it for the filling material.
Apply the Sealant: Now the sealant—a thin, plastic-like material—is painted onto the grooves of the tooth. It flows into all the little pits and fissures where cavities usually start. We use a special curing light to harden the sealant. This forms a strong, protective shield over the tooth.