Dental Fillings in Brentwood, Los Angeles, CA
Dental fillings are a straightforward treatment used to repair areas of tooth decay. When cavities begin to erode your enamel, they can easily spread deeper into the tooth or neighboring teeth. Treating them as soon as the decay is diagnosed prevents the spread of disease and ensures the least invasive treatment possible.
The team at Brentwood Dental Art routinely screens for areas of tooth decay during your dental exam. But if you do develop a cavity, our dentist in Brentwood, Los Angeles, CA, can easily repair it with a minimally invasive dental filling.
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Contact Brentwood Dental Art today to reserve an oral exam or to learn more about our dental fillings in Brentwood.
Do I Need a Dental Filling?
While it’s not always possible to diagnose tooth decay on your own, we can easily screen for cavities by visually examining your teeth and taking diagnostic digital X-rays. These images allow us to see inside and between your teeth, where cavities often develop first.
It’s important to note that not all cavities are painful or visible to the naked eye. But if you’re experiencing any of the following symptoms, you might have an active cavity:
- Tooth Sensitivity: If one tooth is noticeably more sensitive than others, or it’s hypersensitive to hot temperatures and sweet foods, you may have a cavity.
- Toothache or Sharp Tooth Pain: Do you feel an obvious sharp or painful sensation when you bite down on your tooth? Be sure to let us know.
- Broken or Deteriorating Tooth Enamel: Larger areas of tooth decay tend to cause the tooth to break apart with daily use. Avoid chewing on this tooth altogether until we can see you for an exam.
- Old Dental Fillings: As dental fillings age, it’s fairly common for them to develop open margins where new bacteria or plaque can seep in between the filling and your tooth. You may feel a rough edge with your tongue.
- A Hole in Your tooth: Cavities often collect food when you eat or may create a large enough opening that it’s visible to the naked eye.
By scheduling regular checkups with our Brentwood dentist, we can intercept cavities while they’re smaller and more conservative to treat. Unfortunately, the longer you wait to treat active tooth decay, the greater the risk there is that it will evolve into an abscessed tooth or dental emergency.
If you have a cavity, it’s important to treat it as early as possible. Because tooth decay is a bacterial infection, it will only continue to expand deeper into the tooth and adjacent tooth structures until it’s removed by a dentist.
Types of Dental Fillings in Brentwood, Los Angeles, CA
The location and size of your cavity can influence the type of dental filling that you need. Brentwood Dental Art offers several different types of fillings to choose from:
Composite (White) Fillings
These tooth-colored fillings are the least invasive type of restoration available. The white material bonds closely with your tooth enamel, minimizing how much tooth structure is altered during the restorative process. Because composite is available in a variety of shades, we can select a color that blends in with your natural tooth enamel.
Amalgam (Silver) Fillings
Traditional amalgam fillings are best for scenarios involving large cavities or teeth that are difficult to keep dry during the treatment process. They are the least costly option for dental fillings. However, their silver color can interfere with your smile.
Indirect Porcelain Fillings
Lab-made fillings such as inlays and onlays provide added reinforcement for extremely compromised teeth. Sometimes referred to as “three-quarter crowns,” porcelain fillings are a more conservative alternative to traditional full-coverage crown options.
What Do Tooth Fillings Do?
Tooth fillings are designed to help protect the tooth from further decay and damage. They do this by filling in the gaps created by damage to the teeth. Depending on the type and severity of the damage, different filling materials may be used, or you may require more than one filling.
How Are Dental Fillings Put In?
Dental fillings are generally a short, conservative procedure requiring only one appointment to complete. To ensure your comfort, we’ll use a local anesthetic to thoroughly numb the tooth before we remove the areas of active decay. The only thing you should feel is a bit of pressure. Once the damaged structures are removed, we’ll condition the underlying layer of the tooth and place the appropriate filling material. If you’re getting a white filling, we’ll match the composite to blend in with your enamel and use a special light to cure the material in place. Amalgam fillings are polished to ensure a smooth surface.
Dental Filling Aftercare Instructions
Plan to brush and floss around all of your teeth, especially the ones with existing dental fillings. This will help prevent recurrent decay from developing around your new restorations. Also, be sure to plan a checkup with our Brentwood dentist at least twice a year.
How Much Do Brentwood Dental Fillings Cost?
The price of a dental filling will depend on the size of the restoration, the number of tooth surfaces involved, and the type of filling you’re getting (amalgam vs. composite.) On average, the typical dental filling costs between $150-$300. Most patients are also able to use their dental insurance benefits toward the cost of their procedure, reducing out-of-pocket expenses. Our Brentwood dentist also offers flexible payment options to finance all or a portion of your dental filling treatment.
Quality Dental Fillings in Brentwood
If you’re looking for a friendly Brentwood dental office offering high-quality dental services, look no further than Brentwood Dental Art. Our team is committed to your comfort and health. Contact us today to schedule your next dental filling with us!
Questions Answered on This Page
- Do I Need a Dental Filling?
- Types of Dental Fillings
- Getting a Dental Filling Process
- Dental Filling Aftercare
Related Topics
- Composite (White) Fillings
- How Much Do Fillings Cost
- Dental Crowns
- Oral Exams
- Dental X-Rays
- Hygiene and Preventative Dentistry
- Inlays / Onlays
Frequently Asked Questions
Most dental insurance plans cover at least a portion of your dental filling as long as you have not exhausted your benefits for the year.
A well-maintained dental filling can last 10-20 years with good oral hygiene.
No. We use effective numbing medications so that you shouldn’t feel any discomfort during your treatment.
Most dental fillings require 30-45 minutes to perform. Some appointments may be longer if we are placing more than one dental filling at a time.
It’s normal for your tooth to feel a little different after getting a filling, but it shouldn’t be uncomfortable. Let us know if you experience any discomfort, and we will make adjustments to the filling to ensure a proper fit.
Definition of common dental fillings terminology
Tooth decay (dental caries): Tooth decay is the breakdown of teeth due to acids produced by bacteria.
Tooth Enamel: Enamel is the thin outer covering of the tooth. This tough shell is the hardest tissue in the human body.
Tartar: Tartar is a hard yellowish substance that forms on your teeth and causes them to decay if it is not removed.
Cavities: A cavity is a hole in a tooth that develops from tooth decay.
The Brentwood Dental Art Experience
- Highest Level of Dental Care
- Friendly and Caring Staff
- Affordable Financing Options
- Personalized Dental Services
Hear From Our Patients
The BEST dentist doctor there is!! Dr. FARNAZ is very well dedicated to her patients! Very Professional! Does the best COSMESTIC WORK ! I HIGHLY recommend you to her!!!!!!
I started going to Brentwood Dental Arts recently and Dr Falaki was my dentist. The office is nice and clean and the staff was very nice as I walked in. I was very pleased to see how she explained everything in full detail and advise me on where to start with treatment. I’m definitely recommending her to the rest of my family!
Dr. Farnaz and her team did a great job taking care of my dental treatments. She is so gentle, I was very nervous before my appointment but she made it so comfortable for me. I had my porcelain veneers done by Dr. Farnaz and they look so natural. I smile every day because of her. Thank you Brentwood dental art for the amazing job!
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The first step to a healthy mouth and the smile of your dreams
About our Dentistry
- CA (License #16796). View License Information
- Insurance: We work with most insurance providers including all PPO’s
- No Insurance? No problem call 213-463-8870 for more information
- Financing Options: We offer a wide range of dental financing options
- We serve patients from the following counties: Los Angeles
- We serve patients from the following cities: West Los Angeles, Brentwood, Beverly Hills, Bel Air, Culver City, Santa Monica and Westwood
- Have Questions? Please feel free to contact us at 213-463-8870
Helpful links: WebMD (Tooth Fillings) | ADA (Glossary of Dental Terms)
