Make Your Teeth Look and Feel Natural Again
Dental fillings are one of the most common procedures we perform, restoring your teeth and helping prevent further decay or infection that could lead to more extensive treatments. We use composite resin fillings that are carefully color-matched to your natural teeth. Unlike traditional metal (amalgam) fillings, these tooth-colored resins bond strongly with your teeth and can fill even the smallest cavities, meaning less drilling and a more comfortable experience.
Why Are Fillings So Important?
The thought of getting a filling might seem like a hassle, and it’s easy to put it off, especially if your tooth isn’t hurting yet. However, it’s crucial to get cavities filled sooner rather than later. Here’s why:
- Prevent cavities from worsening.
- Avoid painful infections or abscesses.
- Strengthen and restore your tooth’s durability.
- Save money by preventing more costly treatments down the line.
- Reduce sensitivity to hot and cold.
- Keep your natural smile intact for as long as possible.
How Is a Cavity Filled?
Gentle Freezing
Before starting, we’ll take extra care to numb your gums and gently freeze the area. This step can make some patients anxious, but rest assured, the freezing will numb your tooth and the surrounding area, so you’ll hardly feel anything during the procedure.
Filling the Tooth
Once you’re comfortably numbed, we clean and prepare the affected tooth. An adhesive gel is applied, followed by a composite resin (white filling material) that is shaped and molded to match your tooth’s natural contours and bite.
Curing the Composite
The composite material is then quickly hardened using a special LED light. The dentist will carefully check the filled tooth and make any necessary adjustments before giving it a smooth, polished finish.
The Cost of a Filling in Tacoma
Fillings are a routine and effective way to prevent more serious dental issues, which is why most insurance plans offer significant coverage for them. With typical insurance, you can expect to pay anywhere from $0 to $100+ for a filling. If you don’t have dental insurance, the cost generally ranges from $120 to $300 or more, especially if multiple fillings are needed.
When determining the actual cost of your treatment, we consider several factors:
- Your current oral health
- How many fillings are required
- The location of the cavity in your mouth
- Whether any new x-rays are needed
- The time and care required by our dental team to meet your specific needs
- The equipment and supplies necessary to provide the best care
We believe in filling cavities promptly, as this helps prevent more invasive treatments, avoids serious dental pain, and keeps you healthy and happy.
Contact us today
to schedule an initial consultation & exam.
Your consultation will include an examination of everything from your teeth, gums and soft tissues to the shape and condition of your bite. Generally, we want to see how your whole mouth looks and functions. Before we plan your treatment we want to know everything about the health and aesthetic of your smile, and most importantly, what you want to achieve so we can help you get there.
Frequently Asked Questions
With proper care, including regular brushing, flossing, and routine dental cleanings and checkups, your fillings can last for over ten years.
Historically, fillings were made from a material called dental amalgam, often referred to as “silver” or “mercury” fillings. There has been some debate over the safety of amalgam fillings, but the American Dental Association assures that scientific studies have not found evidence linking dental amalgam to illness in the general population. If you have silver fillings, there’s no need to worry!
While there are over-the-counter products that can temporarily fill a cavity or minor damage, they are not a permanent solution. Only a dentist can properly clean, prepare, and fill a cavity to ensure lasting results. Allowing a cavity to go untreated can lead to worsening decay, tooth loss, or even abscesses, which is why it’s important to seek professional care.
If you’re experiencing severe pain that makes it difficult to eat or sleep, this could be a dental emergency. Please call us as soon as possible for advice, and we will do our best to see you quickly. For temporary relief, you can apply a cold compress to the painful area and take over-the-counter pain medications like acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil). Always follow the instructions on the medication bottle and note the dosage and time taken so you can share this information with us during your visit.
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