Dental fillings
Cavities happen. Here is what we do about them
A cavity is simply a spot where acid from bacteria has worked through your enamel and created decay. Left
alone, it only grows, moving deeper toward the nerve where small problems become painful, expensive ones.
Caught early, treatment is quick and simple. We remove the decayed portion and fill the space with a strong
composite resin that bonds directly to your tooth.
The word filling undersells what modern materials can do. Composite comes in dozens of shades, and we
match yours precisely, then sculpt and polish the restoration to follow the natural contours of your tooth.
When we finish, you will have a hard time pointing to which tooth we treated. So will everyone else.
Dental fillings
Why we use composite instead of metal
If you grew up with silver amalgam fillings, the upgrade to composite is meaningful in several ways.
Composite bonds to your tooth structure, which actually reinforces the tooth, while metal fillings merely sit in
a carved out space and can act like a wedge over time. Bonding also means we remove less healthy tooth to
place the filling, and preserving natural tooth is a core philosophy of this office.
There is no mercury in composite, no gray showing when you laugh, and no metal expanding and contracting
with hot and cold. For the occasional old metal filling that has cracked or worn out, we can replace it with
composite and give the tooth a fresh start.
Dental fillings
What your appointment feels like
Here is the honest play by play. We numb the area, and we are genuinely careful about this part, using topical
gel first so even the injection is gentle. One of our Google reviews describes a filling done here with zero pain,
and that is the experience we aim for every single time. Once you are comfortable, removing the decay and
placing the filling typically takes 30 to 45 minutes.
You will watch whatever you like on the TV overhead while we work, and you can drive yourself home after.
The numbness fades within a few hours, and mild sensitivity for a day or two is normal. Most people eat
dinner that night without a second thought.
Dental fillings
Keeping your fillings, and your teeth, healthy
A well placed composite filling lasts for many years, often a decade or more, with ordinary care. Brush twice
daily, floss nightly, and keep your six month checkups, because that is where we monitor your fillings and
catch any wear early. If you grind your teeth at night, mention it, since a night guard protects both your
enamel and your dental work.
The bigger goal is fewer fillings in your future. Between fluoride, sealants, and regular cleanings, most
patients who stick with prevention watch their yearly cavity count fall to zero. That is the outcome we are
actually after. Book online or call (512) 646-4420.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Common Questions About Sedation Dentistry
With proper numbing, no. You will feel pressure and vibration but not pain. Patients regularly tell us they
were surprised by how easy it was, and nervous patients can add nitrous oxide to stay relaxed.
Usually seven to ten years or more, depending on the size of the filling and how well the tooth is cared for.
We check yours at every exam and will tell you well ahead of time if one is wearing out.
Yes. If an amalgam filling is cracked, leaking, or you simply want a natural look, we can replace it with tooth
colored composite. If an old filling is still doing its job well, we will tell you that too rather than sell you an
unnecessary replacement.
Related services
Dental Exams
A good exam is quiet, thorough work. Dr. Salinas checks every tooth, your gums, your bite, your jaw joints,
and the soft tissues of your mouth
Dental Crowns
Fillings are wonderful for small and medium repairs, but they have limits. When a tooth is cracked, worn flat
from grinding, broken, or so heavily filled
Restorative Dentistry
From natural-looking fillings and crowns to implants and root canal therapy, we
rebuild smiles to full strength and beauty.
Ready to schedule?
Visit Our Office — 512ooth Family Dentistry, 8701 W State Hwy 71 #102, Austin, TX 78735.