Cavities & Fillings
Treating cavities conservatively — preserving as much natural tooth as possible.
Tooth-colored composite resin for everyday cavities, hybrid resin-ceramic inlays for larger cases — we choose the right approach for each tooth, with a focus on long-lasting, natural-looking results.
Signs You May Have a Cavity
Cavities don’t always cause pain in the early stages. These are the signs to watch for.
Sensitivity to Cold, Hot, or Sweet
Sharp twinges of pain when drinking cold water, biting into ice cream, or eating something sweet are common early signs of a cavity reaching the inner tooth.
Sensitivity that lingers for several seconds after the trigger is removed often means the cavity has progressed deeper. Early treatment is far simpler than waiting until it reaches the nerve.
Visible Holes or Discoloration
Dark spots, brown stains, or visible holes on the tooth surface can indicate a cavity. Cavities between teeth (interproximal cavities) are harder to see and often only become visible on X-rays.
If you notice food regularly getting stuck in the same spot, or floss tearing in one area, it’s worth getting that area checked.
Pain When Biting Down
Pain or pressure when chewing — especially when biting on something hard — can indicate a cavity has weakened the tooth structure, or that decay has reached close to the nerve.
If the pain lingers, gets worse over time, or you notice swelling, this may indicate the cavity has progressed and requires more comprehensive treatment than a simple filling.
What Sets 365 E-LOOK Apart
Cavity treatment isn’t just about drilling and filling. The choice of approach and material makes a big difference in long-term outcomes.
Conservative — Only When Truly Needed
Not every dark spot is a cavity, and not every cavity needs to be drilled right away. Early-stage cavities can sometimes be remineralized with proper care and monitored over time.
Our philosophy is simple: if it doesn’t need to be treated, we’ll tell you honestly. No overtreatment, no unnecessary drilling. When treatment is truly needed, we remove only the decayed portion and preserve as much healthy tooth structure as possible.
The Right Material for Each Tooth
We don’t use a one-size-fits-all approach to fillings. Different cavities call for different solutions:
· Tooth-colored composite resin — for small to medium cavities and most surfaces, bonded directly to the tooth
· Hybrid resin-ceramic inlays — for larger cavities involving the contact surface between teeth, custom-made for precise fit and durability
We don’t use gold inlays. Even though gold has technical benefits, modern hybrid resin-ceramic materials offer comparable durability with much better aesthetics.
Aesthetics That Match
Every restoration we place is tooth-colored — no metal showing when you smile, no dark margins around fillings, no obvious gold spots on your back teeth.
For the inlays, we work with our dedicated dental laboratory to match the color and translucency of your natural teeth. The result is a restoration that blends in seamlessly, even up close.
What to Expect
Most cavity treatments are completed in a single visit. Larger cavities requiring inlays may need 2 visits.
Step 1 — Diagnosis & Imaging
Your visit begins with a thorough examination using our intraoral camera and bitewing X-rays to detect cavities — including those hidden between teeth that aren’t visible to the naked eye.
We’ll show you exactly what we see and discuss your treatment options. For very early-stage cavities, we may recommend monitoring rather than immediate treatment.
Duration: about 20 to 30 minutes for the first visit.
Step 2 — Gradual Anesthesia
Before any drilling, we apply a topical anesthetic gel to numb the surface tissue, then deliver local anesthesia using our computer-controlled slow-injection system. The injection itself is far less noticeable than traditional methods.
We confirm the tooth is fully numb before starting. For very small, surface-level cavities, anesthesia may not even be necessary.
Duration: 5 to 10 minutes for full anesthesia.
Step 3 — Removal & Restoration
We carefully remove only the decayed tooth structure, preserving as much healthy tooth as possible.
For most cavities, we then restore the tooth with tooth-colored composite resin — bonded directly to the tooth and shaped to match your bite and natural contours.
For larger cavities involving the contact surface between teeth, we take a digital scan and have a custom hybrid resin-ceramic inlay fabricated. The inlay is bonded to your tooth at a follow-up visit, providing a strong, precise, and natural-looking restoration.
Duration: 30 to 60 minutes for composite fillings; inlays require 2 visits with about 1 to 2 weeks between them.
Common Questions About Cavity Treatment
Does every cavity need to be treated?
Not always. Very early-stage cavities — those that haven’t yet penetrated through the enamel — can sometimes remineralize with proper home care, fluoride treatment, and dietary changes.
We’ll honestly assess each cavity. If it can be monitored rather than treated, we’ll tell you so. If it needs treatment, we’ll explain why and what’s involved.
The most important thing is to catch cavities early. Once a cavity progresses past the enamel into the inner dentin, it can no longer remineralize and will need to be treated.
Composite resin or inlay — what's the difference?
Both are tooth-colored, but they’re suited to different situations:
· Composite resin — placed directly into the tooth in a single visit. Ideal for small to medium cavities, especially on the chewing surface or front teeth.
· Hybrid resin-ceramic inlay — custom-fabricated in a lab and bonded to the tooth at a second visit. Ideal for larger cavities, especially those involving the contact surface between teeth, where strength and precise fit matter most.
Inlays cost more but last longer for larger cavities. We’ll recommend whichever option is right for your specific situation.
Can a treated tooth get a cavity again?
Yes — and it’s actually one of the most common reasons treated teeth need additional work later in life.
Cavities can develop at the edges of fillings (recurrent decay), or new cavities can form on other parts of the same tooth. This is why regular cleanings and exams every 6 months are so important — we can catch new decay early, before it requires more extensive treatment.
Good home care (brushing, flossing, limiting sugar) is the single biggest factor in preventing recurrent cavities.
What about TRICARE coverage?
Composite resin fillings and basic restorative procedures are typically well-covered under the TRICARE Dental Program, especially for Command-Sponsored patients.
Hybrid resin-ceramic inlays may have varying coverage depending on your plan tier. Non-Command-Sponsored patients may have partial coverage.
We verify your specific coverage before treatment and provide a clear cost breakdown — so there are no surprises.
Will the filling last forever?
No filling is permanent — but well-placed restorations can last many years, sometimes decades.
· Composite resin fillings: typically 7 to 10+ years with good care
· Hybrid resin-ceramic inlays: typically 10 to 15+ years with good care
Lifespan depends on factors like cavity size, location, your bite force, and home care habits. Patients with bruxism (grinding) tend to wear fillings down faster. We’ll discuss what factors apply to you and how to maximize the lifespan of your restoration.
Suspect You Have a Cavity?
Cavities are easier to treat — and less expensive — when caught early. The longer you wait, the more likely a simple filling becomes a more complex procedure.
A consultation with examination and imaging applies a fee, as accurate diagnosis requires proper evaluation. With that information, we’ll explain whether treatment is needed, what your options are, and what to expect.
Phone: 031-8029-6622
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