Things You'll Need:
- Dental probe
- X-ray
- Numbing jelly
- Local anesthetic
- Rubber sheet/map
- High-speed drill
- Liner
- Base material
- Filling material
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Step 1
Visit your dentist. He'll check to see if you have any cavities needing attention. Cavities are formed when acid eats away the enamel covering your teeth and enters the dentin beneath. Usually a dentist can spot this easily, but an x-ray may be necessary if he suspects you have a hidden cavity.
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Step 2
Schedule an appointment to have the cavity filled. The dentist first applies a jelly-like substance to numb the targeted area and then a local anesthetic is applied to the tooth and surrounding areas, including the tongue, gums and encompassing skin. A rubber mat isolates the tooth from the rest of the mouth, keeping liquids and chips of tooth from falling into the mouth or throat.
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Step 3
Open wide. The dentist uses a high speed drill to clean away the decayed areas of the tooth and provide ridges in preparation for the filling. If the cavity is too extensive, a crown or root canal is needed to save the tooth.
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Step 4
Be prepared for a liner to be placed inside the tooth first. This is often used for reduced sensitivity,and some liners stimulate regeneration of the tooth pulp. For deep fillings a base is needed, covering the liner as protection against temperature changes that can cause pain.
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Step 5
Decide with your dentist what type of filling you want. For the teeth in front a resin is usually used, selected to match your tooth coloration. The molars are usually filled with silver or gold. These fillings are placed on top of the base or liner to fill up the remaining tooth cavity. After this is finished, the tooth is polished to remove any rough edges.
