Fillingsin Lakeville
Cavities are more than just spots on a tooth—they’re small infections that, when left untreated, can compromise your overall oral health. At Downtown Dental, Dr. Brian Harrison takes a conservative, detail-oriented approach to treating cavities early, before they cause discomfort or lead to more serious damage. With gentle techniques and tooth-colored materials, we restore the health of your tooth while preserving as much of its natural structure as possible.
Why should I get a filling?
Most cavities don’t hurt—and that’s exactly why regular checkups matter. When we catch a cavity early, it means we can treat it with minimal intervention, protect the tooth, and avoid bigger problems like pain, infection, or even the need for a crown or root canal.
Dr. Harrison focuses on identifying decay at its earliest stages and using minimally invasive techniques to remove only the infected portion of the tooth. The sooner we treat it, the simpler the solution—and the stronger your smile stays for the long run.
The Benefits of Dental Fillings
Stops Decay Early
Fillings remove the infected portion of the tooth and seal it to prevent bacteria from re-entering.
Fits In With Your Smile
We use tooth-colored materials that blend seamlessly with your smile and function comfortably in your bite.
Quick, Conservative Treatment
When caught early, most fillings can be completed in a single visit without extensive tooth modification.
Our Difference
Tooth-Colored Fillings
No need for a silvery reminder of your cavity. With a tooth-colored filling, your tooth will match the rest of your smile for a natural, seamless look.
The Dental Fillings Treatment Process
Local Anesthesia
Your comfort is always our first priority. Dr. Harrison will apply local anesthesia to completely numb the area around the tooth being treated. If you’re feeling anxious or sensitive, nitrous oxide (laughing gas) is also available to help you relax during the procedure.
Removal Of Decay
Using precise, minimally invasive techniques, Dr. Harrison will carefully remove the decayed portion of the tooth structure—without affecting the healthy parts around it. He takes a conservative approach, ensuring that only the infected tissue is removed while preserving as much of your natural tooth as possible.
Filling The Tooth
Once the area is clean and disinfected, Dr. Harrison will place the filling material and shape it to restore the tooth’s natural form and function. He’ll refine the bite and polish the surface to ensure your new filling looks great and feels completely comfortable.
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
Check out these frequently asked questions, or call us to speak with our team.
Cavities often develop silently, without any noticeable symptoms at first. You might notice staining, mild sensitivity to sweets or cold, or food getting caught in one area. But more often, cavities are detected during routine exams or X-rays before you feel anything. That’s why regular checkups with Dr. Harrison are so important—they allow us to catch small problems before they become painful or costly.
Pain is typically a sign that a cavity has progressed further than it should. Most cavities don’t hurt in the early stages, and they shouldn’t. Dr. Harrison will walk you through the X-rays or images so you can see what he’s seeing and understand why he’s recommending treatment now—to protect your tooth while the solution is still simple and conservative.
Not at all. We use local anesthesia to completely numb the area, and the entire process is designed with your comfort in mind. If you’re feeling especially nervous, we offer nitrous oxide to help you stay relaxed throughout the appointment. Dr. Harrison and his team will talk you through every step so nothing feels rushed or uncertain.
A filling removes the infected portion of the tooth and seals it to prevent further decay. It also restores the tooth’s shape and strength, so you can chew and speak normally without putting strain on nearby teeth. Fillings are one of the most effective ways to stop early infections from spreading.
If the decay has affected a larger portion of your tooth, Dr. Harrison may recommend a crown instead of a filling to restore proper strength and coverage. He’ll explain this clearly and walk you through all options, including why a crown may be the better long-term solution. His focus is always on doing what’s right for your health—not over-treating, and never under-preparing.
