Left untreated, cavities, which are decayed holes can worsen and destroy your teeth. That’s where dental fillings come in. At their core, fillings are used to treat cavities and restore damaged teeth. They’re relatively simple, painless procedures that we perform in our office all the time.
To begin the filling process, a dentist will give you a local anesthetic and numb the appropriate area. This will prevent any pain and discomfort. Then, they’ll use a special drill to gently but effectively remove the decay. Once the decay is gone, they’ll add the filling and use a bright light to harden it. At the end of the treatment, the dentist will polish your tooth to make it smooth and shiny so that it matches the rest of your teeth.
We usually use composite resin to fill cavities so that they look great in your mouth and don’t stand out like a sore thumb like gold and other materials would. Rest assured your fillings will look natural and nobody will know you had them done (unless you tell them of course!)
If you notice some cheek swelling after you receive a filling, don’t worry. This is perfectly normal. You can use an ice pack or cold compress to reduce it and take some over-the-counter pain medication if necessary. In the event the swelling persists for more than a day or worsens, be sure to contact our office right away.
Excessive swelling that causes serious pain can be a sign of a small fracture on the surrounding teeth. Fortunately, this is a rare occurrence and can be resolved fairly quickly. Almost always, dental fillings come with minimal to no side effects. If you feel extreme pain after 24-48 hours of having a filling placed, do not hesitate to call our Lakewood, Colorado dental office.
Schedule Your Appointment at Mile High Smiles
If you have any further questions or would like to schedule an appointment, contact our Lakewood, Colorado office today. We can be reached at 303-232-1830 and look forward to hearing from you!
