

South Kansas City Emergency Dental
816-601-1817

COMPOSITE FILLINGS

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Preparation of the Tooth
On the day of the procedure, you’ll be comfortably seated, and your dentist will ensure that the area around the affected tooth is numb using a local anesthetic. This helps you feel relaxed and pain-free during the treatment. Once the area is numb, our dentist will remove the decayed portion of the tooth using specialized dental instruments.
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Cleaning and Shaping
After removing the decay, the dentist will thoroughly clean the space and shape it to ensure that the filling fits perfectly. In some cases, if the decay is deep, the dentist may apply a base or liner to protect the tooth's inner layers before placing the filling.
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Placing the Filling
The filling material is then carefully placed into the cleaned and shaped cavity. The dentist will build up the material layer by layer, ensuring it matches the natural contours of the tooth for a seamless fit. If you’ve chosen a tooth-colored filling, the material is sculpted to blend with the surrounding tooth structure.
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Hardening the Filling
Once the filling is in place, the dentist will use a ultraviolet special light (for composite fillings) to harden the material, ensuring a durable bond to your tooth. The filling is then shaped and smoothed for comfort and a natural appearance.
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Final Adjustments
After the filling has hardened, your dentist will check your bite to ensure that the filling does not interfere with how your teeth come together. Any necessary adjustments will be made to ensure a perfect fit and comfort when chewing or speaking.
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Post-Procedure Care
Once the filling is complete, the numbing will wear off, and you’ll be able to resume normal activities. It’s important to avoid eating hard or sticky foods for a few hours to allow the filling to fully set. Your dentist will provide instructions on how to care for your newly filled tooth and may schedule a follow-up appointment to ensure everything is healing properly.
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Benefits of Dental Fillings
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Prevents further decay by restoring the tooth's structure.
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Restores function to damaged or decayed teeth, making eating and speaking more comfortable.
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Aesthetic options for natural-looking, tooth-colored fillings that blend with your smile.
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