Fillings

A filling is the workhorse of general dentistry: when decay creates a cavity, we remove the damaged portion of the tooth and rebuild it with a durable filling material — stopping the decay and restoring the tooth’s shape and strength, usually in a single visit.

Tooth-colored, not metal-mouthed

We use composite resin fillings shaded to match your natural enamel, so the repair disappears into your smile. Composites bond directly to the tooth, which means we can be conservative — removing less healthy tooth structure than older metal fillings required.

What to expect at your visit

The area is numbed with local anesthetic, the decay is removed, and the filling is placed, shaped, and polished — most fillings take well under an hour. Sensitivity for a day or two afterward is normal; lingering pain is not, and we’d want to see you if it persists.

Catch cavities while they’re small

A cavity never gets smaller on its own. Small fillings are quick and inexpensive; decay that’s left alone grows toward the nerve, where the fix becomes a root canal and crown instead. That’s the whole argument for routine exams and cleanings — we find problems while they’re still small ones.

Think you might have a cavity? Schedule an appointment or call 972-530-8800 — and if a tooth is actively hurting, see our emergency care page.