What to Expect When Getting a Dental Filling
Are you experiencing any dental pain or discomfort? If so, it’s time to schedule an appointment with our emergency dentist in Wyoming, MI. Dr. Eric Langellier will be able to diagnose and treat the source of your pain so you can restore your oral health and move on with your life. For a small cavity, he may recommend a dental filling to restore the tooth.
Here’s what you can expect during the dental filling procedure.
Diagnosis
When you present with pain, Dr. Langellier will perform a thorough oral examination which includes a complete set of X-rays. X-rays allow us to detect any decay that’s not visible to the naked eye. For example, it’s not uncommon for to form between teeth.
Once the cavity is detected, Dr. Langellier will recommend a treatment plan to return your smile to its full strength and function. In general, we’ll be able to use a composite filling to restore a tooth with a small cavity. For larger cavities, Dr. Langellier may recommend a dental crown, root canal, or other treatment option.
Local Anesthesia
We’ll apply a numbing gel to your gums and allow that to take effect. Then, we’ll inject a local anesthetic into the soft tissue by your tooth and wait a few minutes for the numbness to spread throughout the area where we’ll be working. Once you’re numb and comfortable, we’ll begin the procedure.
Decay Removal
The filling procedure takes one visit to our office. Dr. Langellier will use a dental drill to remove the decayed portion of your tooth. He’ll then mix composite resin to match the exact shade of your tooth. This helps to ensure that the looks natural and blends in with the rest of your smile.
Next, Dr. Langellier will fill the hole in your tooth with the composite resin before polishing the filling and adjusting it to fit your bite. For the final step, our dentist will use a special light to “cure” or harden the filling in place.
Aftercare
In general, patients experience numbness between three and five hours after leaving our office. During this time, you’ll need to avoid hot drinks like coffee or tea until you regain full sensation in your mouth. Otherwise, you risk scalding your mouth and not even realizing it due to the numbness.
It’s normal to experience a little tooth sensitivity for a day or two after getting your filling. Although, you’ll need to schedule a follow-up appointment with our office if your sensitivity persists.
Likewise, please call our office if you experience any tooth pain, jaw soreness, or headaches after getting a filling. These symptoms may indicate that the filling needs to be adjusted a little to ensure your bite is fully aligned.
To be clear, Dr. Langellier will always check your bite immediately after the filling is placed to ensure your teeth line up properly. But sometimes a filling may need to be adjusted ever so slightly to ensure the perfect fit.
Request an Appointment with Us
Dr. Eric Langellier is an experienced emergency dentist in Wyoming, Michigan. He’s also proud to serve patients throughout Greater Grand Rapids. To schedule an appointment, please call Bowtie Dental at (616) 532-9003. You may also fill out our online contact form and someone from our team will reach out to you soon.