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Dental Fillings in Lakewood, CO
Have a cavity that needs attention? Dental fillings in Lakewood, CO repair the tooth, stop decay from spreading, and let you chew normally again.
A filling replaces the part of a tooth that has been damaged by decay or a small break. Treating a cavity while it is small usually means a simpler visit, and it helps you avoid larger treatment, such as a crown or a root canal, later on.
Lakewood Smiles places natural-looking, tooth-colored fillings as well as amalgam (silver) fillings. We will explain the options for your tooth in plain language so you can choose with clear information and no pressure.
- Natural-looking, tooth-colored fillings
- Small cavities treated before they grow
- Area numbed before treatment
- Clear explanation of your material options
What a dental filling is
A cavity is a hole in the tooth caused by decay, which happens when bacteria in plaque turn sugars into acid that wears away enamel. To place a filling, the dentist removes the decayed part of the tooth, cleans the area, and fills the space with a restorative material so the tooth is sealed and can work normally again.
The two most common materials are composite resin and amalgam. Composite is tooth-colored, bonds directly to the tooth, and is shaded to blend in, which makes it a popular choice for teeth that show when you smile. Amalgam, often called a silver filling, is a mix of metals that has been used for many years and holds up well on back teeth. Your dentist can explain the pros and cons of each for your tooth.
Who needs a filling
Fillings repair cavities, small chips and cracks, worn areas near the gumline, and older fillings that have cracked or started to leak. Signs of a cavity can include sensitivity to sweets or cold, pain when you bite, food catching in the same spot, or a visible dark spot or hole. Many cavities cause no symptoms at all and are found at a checkup or on an X-ray.
When damage is too large for a filling to hold, a crown may protect the tooth better. If decay has reached the nerve inside the tooth, root canal therapy may be needed first. Regular dental cleanings and exams are the best way to find cavities while they are still small.
What to expect when you get a filling
Most fillings are done in a single visit. The area is numbed, the decay is removed, and the tooth is shaped to hold the filling. For a tooth-colored filling, the composite is placed in thin layers, each hardened with a special light, then shaped and polished to match your tooth.
For an amalgam filling, the material is packed into the prepared tooth and carved to fit your bite. In both cases, the dentist checks how your teeth come together and adjusts the filling so your bite feels even before you leave.
Aftercare after a filling
Numbness usually wears off within a few hours. Until it does, avoid chewing and hot drinks so you do not bite your cheek or tongue or burn your mouth. A tooth-colored filling is hardened before you leave, while a silver filling continues to set, so it is wise to avoid chewing hard foods on it for the rest of the day.
Some sensitivity to cold or pressure for a few days, or occasionally a few weeks, is common, especially with deeper fillings. Call if the tooth hurts when you bite or your bite feels high, since a small adjustment often fixes it. Our post-operative care page has printable instructions for after fillings.
Insurance and payment for fillings
Dental plans commonly list fillings as basic services. Coverage varies, and some plans pay for tooth-colored fillings on back teeth only up to the cost of a silver filling, which can leave a difference to pay. Checking your plan before the visit avoids surprises.
Lakewood Smiles accepts select plans from Delta Dental PPO, Cigna PPO, UnitedHealthcare, Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, GEHA, Humana, MetLife, Guardian and Medicaid. Not every plan from each carrier is accepted, so please call 303-988-6860 before your visit and we can check whether we are in network with your specific plan. Any estimate is based on information from your dental benefits company and is not a guarantee of payment. You can see the insurance list and billing notes on our contact page.
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Common questions about fillings
How do I know if I need a filling?
You might notice sensitivity to sweets or cold, a sharp twinge when you bite, food catching in the same place, or a dark spot on a tooth. Often, though, early cavities cause no symptoms at all, which is why regular checkups and X-rays matter. If something feels different about a tooth, call 303-988-6860 and have it checked before a small problem becomes a bigger one.
Does getting a filling hurt?
The area is numbed before any work begins, so most people feel pressure and vibration rather than pain during a filling. The numbing injection itself may sting briefly. Afterward, the tooth can feel sensitive to cold or pressure for a few days, which usually fades on its own. If you are nervous about the visit, let the team know beforehand so they can explain each step as it happens.
Tooth-colored or silver: which filling is better?
Each has strengths. Tooth-colored composite blends in and bonds to the tooth, which can mean removing less healthy tooth structure. Silver amalgam is durable, handles heavy chewing forces well, and is less sensitive to moisture while it is placed. The best choice depends on where the tooth is, the size of the cavity, your health history, and your preferences, so ask your dentist what fits your situation.
How long do fillings last?
Fillings often last many years, though none last forever. How long a filling lasts depends on its size and location, the material, how hard you bite, whether you grind your teeth, and how well the area is kept clean. At each checkup, the dentist looks for cracks, wear, or new decay around older fillings, so a failing filling can be replaced before it causes a bigger problem.
Why is my tooth sensitive after a filling?
Some sensitivity to cold, air, or pressure is common after a filling, especially a deep one, because the nerve inside the tooth can be irritated by the work. It usually improves over days to a few weeks. Pain when biting often means the filling sits a little high and needs a quick adjustment. Call the office if sensitivity is getting worse, lasts longer, or wakes you at night.
Can I eat after getting a filling?
It is best to wait until the numbness wears off so you do not bite your cheek or tongue. With a tooth-colored filling, the material is already hardened, so you can eat normally once you have feeling back. With a silver filling, avoid chewing hard or sticky foods on that tooth for the rest of the day while it finishes setting. Warm drinks are fine once numbness fades.