Filling

When you visit your dentist to get a filling, you may be given local anesthesia to numb the area if necessary after which your dentist will remove decay from the tooth, using hand instruments or a drill. Air abrasion and lasers also can be used to remove decay.

At first, your dentist will use a high-speed drill (the one with the familiar whining sound) to remove the decay and unsupported enamel of the tooth. Once the drill reaches the dentin or second layer of the tooth, the dentist may use a lower speed drill. That’s because dentin is softer than enamel.

Once all the decay is removed, your dentist will shape the space to prepare it for the filling. Different types of fillings require different shaping procedures to make sure they will stay in place. Your dentist may put in a base or a liner to protect the tooth’s pulp (where the nerves are).