Your dentist will recommend a filling for you when you have a cavity (caries) or fracture. A cavity is when a tiny hole forms in your tooth because of a layer of tiny bacteria on your teeth, called plaque. If you don’t brush your teeth regularly or thoroughly, the bacteria secrete acid that slowly breaks down your tooth. Eventually a cavity will form.

When you go in for a filling, your teeth will be numb, the dentist will remove the decayed portion of the tooth, cleaning out the space left, and filling it with composite material, which is white and bonds to the tooth structure. The duration of the procedure depends on the extension of the cavity and the access. You might need some adjustment if the filling feels high after your numbness is gone, so never hesitate to contact the office in Aldie, VA, if there is any concern.