Dental Fillings

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To treat a cavity Dr. Poulson will remove the decayed portion of the tooth and then "fill" the area on the tooth where the decayed material was removed.

Thanks to the Solea Dental Laser, filling a tooth is easier, makes no drilling noise and is virtually painless! You won’t need an anesthetic, however, if you have an extreme fear of the dentist, Poulson Family Dental has some options to help you through your visit.  If you suffer from dental anxiety, you are encouraged to bring ear buds/headphones to listen to your favorite music or audiobook.  Additionally, we can prescribe medications that can help you relax prior to and during your visit.  More information is available upon request.

What Steps Are Involved in Filling a Tooth?

First, the tooth decay will be removed with the Solea Dental Laser, although in some cases a traditional dental drill may be used. It will depend on your unique circumstances, however we use the Solea laser for the majority of cases.

Once the decay has been removed, Dr. Jeff Poulson will probe or test the area to determine if all the decay has been removed. The space is then prepared for the filling by cleaning the cavity of bacteria and debris. If the decay is near the root or nerve of the tooth, a medicated liner made of glass ionomer, composite resin, or other material may be placed to protect your tooth.

Lastly, the cavity is filled with composite resin (a tooth colored material), porcelain or a silver amalgam material. Dr. Poulson and his team will finish the filling by polishing the material and area around the filled cavity, making sure it fits together correctly when you bite down.

What Types of Filling Materials Are Available?

Teeth can be filled with gold, porcelain, silver amalgam or composite resin fillings. Silver amalgam consists of mercury mixed with silver, tin, zinc, and copper. It is a very strong and durable material that can get wet without damage.  Composite resin material is a tooth colored plastic that is bonded or glued to your tooth and usually blends in well with your natural tooth color.  How do you determine which filling best fits you? Often the location of the decay will determine which filling is best for you. Dr. Poulson will make recommendations based on your case so you can make the best choice of material for your situation.  

More Uses For Fillings

Fillings are not limited to cavities. Fillings are also used to repair cracked, broken or discolored teeth. Your teeth may have been worn down from nail-biting or tooth grinding causing cracked or broken teeth.  Fillings can aid in the repair of such cases. If your teeth are discolored or spotted, fillings can replace those areas of damage to help them look more natural again.