Dental Fillings and Cavity Treatment in North Hollywood

Tooth decay starts when bacteria in plaque turn sugars into acid. The acid softens enamel and, over time, creates a hole in the tooth called a cavity. Without treatment, decay can reach the inner part of the tooth, cause pain or infection, and may then need a root canal or an extraction.

• Sensitivity to sweet, hot or cold foods and drinks
• A toothache or pain when you bite down
• A visible hole, pit, or brown, black or white spot on a tooth
• Food that keeps getting stuck in the same place
• A rough or broken edge you can feel with your tongue

Early cavities often have no symptoms at all, which is why regular cleanings and exams matter. Read more in when you need a dental filling.

We restore teeth with composite resin, a tooth-colored material that bonds directly to the tooth. Because it bonds, usually only the decayed part of the tooth needs to be removed. The shade is matched to your natural teeth, so the filling is hard to notice.

Fillings can also repair small chips, cracks and worn areas. Compare materials in tooth-colored fillings vs. amalgam.

1. Exam and X-rays. Your dentist checks the tooth and confirms the size of the cavity.
2. Numbing. The area is numbed with local anesthetic so you stay comfortable.
3. Removing decay. The decayed part of the tooth is cleaned out.
4. Placing the filling. Composite is applied in layers, shaped and hardened with a curing light.
5. Polishing and bite check. We polish the filling and check that your bite feels normal.

Your lips and tongue may feel numb for a few hours afterward. Some sensitivity for a few days is common and usually fades on its own. Call us if your bite feels high or the sensitivity does not improve.