Tooth Fillings in Valencia, CA

Mayo Clinic lists four ways a dentist usually detects decay: asking about pain and sensitivity, looking at the teeth, probing them for soft areas, and reading dental X-rays. A cavity that is just beginning may cause no symptoms at all.

Our office uses digital X-rays, which typically use less radiation than traditional film. They let Dr. Robert P. Hedvat show you what he sees and explain his recommendation before any treatment starts.

Fillings come in several materials, including tooth-colored composite resin, porcelain, and dental amalgam, the metal mixture often called a silver filling. The American Dental Association says composite resin holds up well in small to mid-size fillings and can be used on front or back teeth.

Each material has trade-offs. Composite costs more than amalgam and takes longer to place, because the tooth has to stay clean and dry while it is filled, and some studies show it may need replacing sooner. The FDA describes amalgam as strong, long-lasting and the least expensive option, and notes that it contains mercury. For higher-risk groups, such as pregnant women and children under six, the FDA strongly encourages non-amalgam fillings where the dentist thinks they suit the tooth.

The FDA calls the choice of material one that you and your dentist make together. Our team emphasizes conservative treatment and metal-free restorations when appropriate, and we will talk through the options for your tooth.

The FDA does not recommend removing amalgam fillings that are in good condition with no decay beneath them, unless a health care professional considers it medically necessary. Taking out an intact filling removes healthy tooth structure and briefly increases mercury vapor exposure. People with a mercury allergy, or with neurological or kidney disease, can discuss removal with their dentist or physician.

Mayo Clinic notes that cavity treatment depends on how serious the decay is. A tooth with a lot of decay or weakened structure may need a dental crown, and the ADA adds that a crown can strengthen a tooth when too little of it remains to hold a large filling.

When decay reaches the pulp inside the tooth, a root canal may be needed to save it. Our team includes Dr. Benjamin Levi, an endodontist, so root canal treatment can continue in the same office.

Mayo Clinic reserves extraction for teeth too decayed to restore. It notes that the gap can let neighboring teeth shift and suggests replacing the tooth with a bridge or an implant where possible.

Cavities that are not treated get larger and reach deeper layers of the tooth, according to Mayo Clinic. A cavity treated before it starts to hurt probably will not need a lot of treatment, and in the very earliest stage a fluoride treatment can sometimes reverse it.

If a filling falls out or a tooth starts to hurt, same-day emergency appointments are often available for a dental emergency. Call or text our office, and our team will make every effort to see you as quickly as possible.

The material is one factor in what a filling costs. The ADA says composite costs more than amalgam, and the FDA calls amalgam the least expensive filling material. The ADA also notes that some insurance plans occasionally do not cover composite fillings.

We accept most PPO dental plans. Because benefits and network participation vary by plan, our team will gladly verify your coverage before treatment. We also accept CareCredit and offer financial arrangements.