You brush, you floss, you even swish with mouthwash like a pro—so when your dentist mentions a cavity, it feels like a betrayal. But the truth is, even the most diligent brushers can end up with tooth decay. The good news? Modern dental fillings are quick, painless, and designed to blend seamlessly with your smile. At Dee for Dentist, we make the process of getting a filling stress-free. Just a tiny fix today can save you from bigger dental troubles tomorrow.
Today, tooth-colored fillings blend perfectly with your natural teeth, offering a strong and discreet way to restore your smile. Our Dee for Dentist providers use advanced technology such as laser dentistry and 3D imaging to ensure your filling is precise, comfortable, and long-lasting. No pain, no stress—just a healthier, stronger smile. Whether you need a small repair or a replacement for old fillings, our dentist strives to provide patients with the most comfortable experience possible with cutting-edge solutions designed for long-term oral health.
What Are Dental Fillings?
Dental fillings are a solution designed to fill in holes and gaps in your teeth, including those left behind by damage and decay. While dental fillings were partially made with metal in the past, today’s are typically made with a tooth-colored composite resin. This means modern fillings are less visible to others, the fix is more seamless, and patients don’t have to feel insecure or worried about how it’ll look.
Patients will often need a filling for any signs of decay, especially cavities. However, dental fillings can also be used to address problems that have arisen due to wear and tear or trauma. These can be used to seal cracks, keeping harmful bacteria out and protecting your teeth from further damage or pain. They act like small guards for an individual tooth, kicking out bacteria and closing the gates on plaque and tartar that would otherwise come inside and run amok.
If you’re embarrassed that you need a filling, just know you’re not alone. Statistics from the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research indicate that almost 90% of adults aged 20 to 64 with teeth have had dental decay. This means the vast majority of people around you have either gotten or still need dental fillings to properly prevent further damage. By getting a filling, you’re taking the proper precautions and mitigating additional damage and risks.
How Do You Know If You Need a Filling?
If you need a filling, it may not be obvious. In fact, you may not know you show any signs until you get an examination from your dentist at your next appointment. Your provider will also tell you if any fillings are getting old and need replacement.
The following are strong signs that you need a dental filling and should see your dentist soon:
- Toothache, including sharp, persistent, or throbbing pain
- Increased sensitivity to hot, cold, or sweet food or drinks
- Visible hole in your tooth
- Discoloration on a tooth, such as white, brown, black, gray, or yellow spots you can visibly see in the mirror
- Bad breath, especially if the smell doesn’t go away after brushing; You may also find your mouth tastes funny
- Breaking or fraying floss, especially after going between specific teeth
- Rough feeling on the tongue when running over your pearly whites, indicating an unusual jagged point on your teeth
- Swelling around the gums
- Redness in the oral cavity
- Bleeding, including while brushing teeth or flossing
You may also need a filling even if you don’t meet many criteria. For instance, you may need a filling after certain cases of dental trauma. If you can’t tell whether you need a filling and haven’t seen your dentist in the last six months, we encourage you to schedule an appointment with us. Our compassionate and friendly staff at Dee for Dentist look forward to helping you take care of your beautiful smile.
The Dental Filling Process: What to Expect
The dental filling process in Las Vegas is relatively straightforward, it’s easily the most common restorative procedure done in a dental office. Your dentist will generally apply a local anesthetic to numb the gums and the immediate area around the affected tooth if they are not using a laser. We’ll then remove any decay with a laser or other instruments, clean the area, and work on the filling.
The dental composite we use needs to be hardened with a UV curing light, speeding up the process. We can then polish the filling so it feels smooth and your bite feels normal. Depending on the size of the filling, we can finish up work in as little as 20 minutes. If you have any questions about the filling process, you’re welcome to contact us or speak directly with your provider. We’re happy to provide helpful answers and make the process as peaceful and comfortable as possible.
