Fillings and crowns
For a tooth with a cavity, a crack or a worn-out filling. A filling repairs part of a tooth; a crown covers the whole visible part when a filling can't hold it.
What happens
The visit, in order
- 01
Step 1: Look and explain
Dr. Bolden shows you the tooth, says what she'd do and what the other choices are.
- 02
Step 2: Numb the area
We numb the tooth and the tissue around it and wait until it's ready. Tell us if you can still feel anything.
- 03
Step 3: Repair
She removes the damaged part and places the filling, or shapes the tooth for a crown.
- 04
Step 4: Check the bite
You bite down and we adjust it until it feels right. A crown takes a second visit to fit.
Good to know
Comfort, alternatives, risks and billing
Comfort
We numb the area before we start, and you can raise a hand at any time. Your lip and cheek stay numb for a few hours afterward, so wait to eat until that passes.
Other choices, and waiting
A small cavity can sometimes be watched, and a cracked tooth may be treated several ways. Waiting usually lets a cavity grow, and a bigger one may need a crown or more.
Risks and after-care
A tooth can be sensitive to hot and cold for a few days. Rarely a filling or crown needs to be redone. You get written instructions and a number to call.
How it's billed
Each filling and crown is quoted in writing before we start. If you use insurance, we tell you what we expect it to pay and what you would owe.
How fees work
Questions about fillings and crowns
Will it hurt?
We numb the area first. You may feel pressure, and you can ask us to stop or to numb more.
How many visits is a crown?
Usually two: one to prepare the tooth and one to fit the crown.
How long does a filling last?
It depends on the tooth, the size of the filling and your bite. Dr. Bolden checks them at your exams.
Ask about this visit
Provided by a general dentist: Dr. Lenora Bolden, DDS.