Cavity Fillings

Painlessly Conquer Your Cavities In Tustin, CA

Cavity Fillings, Tustin, California

You brush and floss your teeth every day and try to come into the dentist office for a dental cleaning routinely. But despite your best efforts to keep your mouth in peak shape, there it is: a cavity. The mouth is a complex system, and there’s more to a healthy smile than just your hygiene habits. The foods you eat, your hydration levels, even your hormones can play a huge part in your oral health. However, no matter how your tooth cavity got there, you need to make sure you get the proper treatment you need to stop it in its tracks. Our talented and highly-skilled dentists at Gold Coast Dental Tustin are here to help!

What is a cavity? A cavity is a hole in a tooth caused by plaque and bacteria wearing away and breaking through the tooth's enamel to the soft, inner layers below. There are five tooth decay stages that can ravage your smile, and each one is worse than the last. Left to its own devices, your dental cavity can attack the sensitive central dental pulp keeping your tooth alive. With a responsive, professional team on board, you’ll be able to save your tooth with a root canal. Left untreated and ignored, your tooth can rot and need to be removed! At the first sign of tooth decay symptoms appearing, don't hesitate to call our office for immediate assistance!

Swift and expert tooth decay treatment is necessary for ensuring your cavity doesn’t continue its campaign of destruction through your tooth. No matter what stage of tooth decay you may be going through, our Tustin dental team handles the problem quickly and painlessly. We're ready to bring your tooth back from the brink with a tooth filling or other dental decay treatment, restoring your beautiful, natural smile to its former glory. Give us a call at (714) 795-3865 to schedule a consultation today!

Tooth Decay Stages

From the first moment you notice tooth decay forming, you should visit our dental office for a consultation.

Stage 1: White Spots

When plaque first builds up on your teeth, it begins to weaken the tooth by taking away the vital minerals protecting your enamel. This demineralization is visible as white spots on the tooth that darken as the decay worsens. The tooth can be remineralized with a topical fluoride treatment.

Stage 2: Enamel Decay

Next, plaque and bacteria start wearing away at the tooth’s enamel. This decay will make its way down until it reaches deeper, more vulnerable layers of your tooth.

Stage 3: Dentin Decay

Once the decay reaches the dentin layer below the enamel, it creates a visible hole we know as a cavity. At this stage, the damage is irreversible and will need professional treatment, most likely a filling.

Stage 4: Pulp Decay

After making its way through the dentin, your cavity eats away at the last layer of your tooth, the dental pulp. The pulp is full of nerves and blood vessels acting as the beating heart of your tooth. This stage often comes with a terrible toothache as more of the sensitive pulp decays. Your tooth will need a root canal and a dental crown or filling at this point.

Stage 5: Abscess Formation

As the decay reaches the end of your tooth’s root, the infection will spread into the surrounding gum tissue and create a pocket of pus called a tooth abscess. This last stage needs immediate emergency treatment because an abscess is a blaring warning sign that your tooth is on the verge of dying. If we find that a root canal can no longer be done, the tooth will need to be extracted.

The Dental Filling Process

Getting a filling is simple, and we make sure it's always stress-free and painless for you

Filling a cavity isn't a complicated process at all. Our Gold Coast Dental Tustin dentists do our best to have you in and out of our office quickly and easily, no matter the level of your dental decay. Here's what to expect when you get a filling with us... First, you'll come in for a consultation. We'll take a series of comprehensive exams to determine the severity of your case, and we'll work with you to come up with a treatment plan that works best with you. Most likely, we'll go with a standard composite filling, but some patients prefer a gold inlay or onlay for their extra durability. Once we're ready to

begin treatment, we'll apply a local anesthetic to numb your tooth and gums to keep your experience painless and comfortable. Next, we'll remove the decay, including the diseased part of your tooth. After sterilizing the area, we'll apply the filling. To ensure it looks, fits, and feels great, our dentists will polish and refurbish the tooth's surface until it shines like new. From there, you're free to leave our Tustin office with a healthy and happy tooth! The full process can take as little as 20 minutes, but almost never more than an hour. Give the anesthesia a couple hours to wear off, and you'll be good as new!

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We're The Expert Tooth Defenders in Tustin!

Say goodbye to cavity pain with our skilled dentists on your side

Don't be nervous if you end up getting a cavity. It happens to the best of us. Our team at Gold Coast Dental Tustin is here to get your tooth's health back on track with our expert, high-quality dental fillings! We pride ourselves on providing the ultimate protection for your teeth in the most comfortable and relaxing way possible. You won't feel a thing with us in charge. Our high-performing staff is ready to assist you, no matter what the need, as we make your oral health our top priority. If you're dealing with a cavity, it's time to put an end to the problem. Give us a call at (714) 795-3865, and we'll be on the case right away!

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What does a cavity look like?

A cavity is a visible hole in the tooth. It may have chalky white or dark discoloration around it. These spots first appear during the earliest stage of tooth decay, before a cavity forms, as plaque and bacteria demineralize and weaken your enamel. If you notice something like this, please give us a call and we'll help you take care of your cavity!
How many years do fillings last?

The longevity of your dental filling hinges on two main factors: the material used and your own dental hygiene. Composite fillings last 5 to 7 years on average. With excellent brushing and flossing as well as regular trips to our office for a dental cleaning, however, you can see your composite dental filling last more than a decade.
What will happen if a cavity is left untreated?

If you don't see our Tustin dentists for cavity treatment, then the decay will spread through the dentin and begin attacking the nerves and blood vessels keeping your tooth healthy and alive. Rather than a simple filling, you may need a root canal at this point. If your cavity continues to grow, it can lead to a tooth abscess as the cavity pain intensifies. If left alone, the tooth might not be salvageable and will need to be pulled with a tooth extraction.
Does filling a cavity hurt?

No matter how bad your cavity is, treating it will be completely painless at our Tustin dental office. Our local anesthetic ensures your tooth and the surrounding area stays numb while we work. All you'll feel is a bit of pressure but no pain.
Do all cavities need fillings?

Once your tooth develops a cavity, it will need professional treatment. Whether that treatment comes in the form of a tooth filling, dental crown, or root canal depends on the extent of the decay. For smaller cavities, a normal cavity filling is more than enough.
How much should a filling cost?

Your cavity filling cost varies depending on the number of cavities and surfaces to be treated, the location of the tooth, and the material used. Here at Gold Coast Dental Tustin, we only use composite resin fillings rather than silver amalgam fillings. Not only does composite blend in seamlessly with your smile and look completely natural, but it also doesn't carry any of the health concerns amalgam does. To discuss the specific prices of your tooth cavity situation, please contact us at (714) 795-3865 to schedule a consultation with one of our expert dentists.