Decay reaching the inner tooth
As a cavity moves past the enamel, sweets and cold may start to register. Where it needs treatment, the decay is removed and the space rebuilt with composite.
Restorative Dentistry
Composite Fillings in Halton Hills
A zing when you bite into something sweet can mean decay, or something else entirely. From anywhere in Halton Hills, you can have the tooth examined first and hear whether a tooth-coloured filling is really the answer.
That sudden zingGet that tooth checked
A twinge with every sweet
You bite into a cookie and one tooth answers with a sharp little jolt. It fades, but it keeps happening. A cavity is one possible reason; exposed root surfaces, a cracked tooth or a leaking older filling are others.
If decay is the cause, a composite filling is one way to deal with it. The dentist clears out the damaged tooth and replaces it with a resin in a shade close to your enamel, bonded on and shaped to restore the chewing surface. If the cause lies elsewhere, a filling would not help, which is why the exam comes before any treatment.
People booking from Georgetown, Acton, Glen Williams and other parts of Halton Hills can simply tell us when the twinge happens and which side it is on. We take it from there.
Possible explanations
Finding out what’s behind the feeling
Several problems can look or feel alike. Examination identifies the cause, how much of the tooth is affected, and whether there is enough healthy structure for a bonded filling.
A chip that exposes the tooth
A small break can leave a sensitive spot. Whether composite suits it depends on the chip’s position, your bite and whether a crack runs beneath.
A gap at an older filling
If the seal around earlier work has opened, the tooth may react. A small repair, a replacement or watching it may each be appropriate; the findings decide.
Plenty of sensitive teeth need no filling at all. Describe what sets yours off, whether sweets, cold or biting, and how quickly the feeling goes away.
Why resin is used
Sealed, shaped and shaded
Once decay is removed, composite bonds to the tooth and can be matched to its colour, so it is commonly used for teeth that show. It also suits some back-tooth cavities, as long as the filling size and chewing pressure are taken into account.
There are boundaries. Bonding needs a dry tooth, and a large repair or one that takes heavy biting forces may need another solution. What fits one tooth well might not fit the tooth beside it.
Patient information: ADA — tooth-coloured fillings · FDA — filling materials
Blends with your enamel
The dentist selects a shade for your particular tooth, so the restoration is less noticeable.
Less healthy tooth removed
Since composite bonds, preparation can sometimes be kept conservative, depending on the tooth’s condition.
Often a single treatment visit
A direct filling can usually be completed in one appointment, though the exam or added care may be separate.
During the appointment
Here’s how it unfolds
Knowing what comes next can ease the waiting. Say if you would like a moment to pause, and ask questions at any stage.
Pin down the source
We ask about the sensitivity and look closely at the tooth. X-rays may be recommended if they would help show decay or the tissue around the root. The proposed treatment, alternatives and estimated fee are discussed before starting.
Numb and clean
Local anaesthetic may be used to make the area comfortable. The decayed or damaged part is removed and the tooth is kept clean and dry for bonding.
Fill and form
Composite is added, usually in layers set by a curing light. The dentist shapes it to restore the tooth’s outline and its contact with the adjacent tooth.
Polish and confirm
After the filling is polished, your bite is checked. You will get guidance for the tooth and can ask about eating, cleaning or anything that still feels odd.
In the days that follow
Giving the tooth time to settle
Follow the instructions for your own treatment. If something does not seem right, tell us now rather than at your next visit.
Eat once the numbness lifts
Chewing on a numb side risks injuring your cheek, lip or tongue. Take hot drinks carefully until sensation is back.
Notice if sensitivity fades
Some short-lived sensitivity is possible as the tooth settles. Call if pain worsens, sensitivity continues, or the filling seems to strike first when you bite.
Protect the tooth daily
Brush with fluoride toothpaste in the morning and at night and clean between teeth daily. Decay can start again at the margins of a filling.
Patient information: Cleveland Clinic — dental fillings
About sensitivity and fillings(905) 876-4488
Your questions, answered simply
Ask what you need to know. If the feeling is hard to describe, tell us when it happens and we will work from that.
Does sensitivity to sweets mean I have a cavity?
It can, but not always. Exposed roots, a crack or an opening at an older filling can cause similar sensations. An examination, sometimes with X-rays, helps identify the cause.
Can a filling stop a tooth from being sensitive?
If decay or a chip is the cause, a filling may relieve it once the tooth settles. If the sensitivity comes from something else, other care may be more useful. The dentist will explain what applies.
What else besides decay makes a tooth twinge?
Gum recession exposing the root, enamel wear, a cracked tooth, clenching, and recent whitening are among the possibilities. Describing your symptoms clearly helps narrow it down.
Will I be numbed for a small filling?
Local anaesthetic is often offered, though for some very small repairs it may not be needed. Talk with the dentist about what you prefer and what is advisable for your tooth.
How do I know a composite repair is wearing out?
Rough edges, staining at the border, food catching or new sensitivity can be signs worth reporting. Regular checkups also let the dentist look for wear or decay you would not notice.
Can I book without knowing which tooth it is?
Yes. Many people who call from Halton Hills only know the general area. Describe what you feel and when, and the exam will help locate the tooth and the cause.
Patient information: CDA — tooth-coloured fillings · FDA — existing amalgam fillings
Composite care for Halton Hills
Find the cause. Then choose the repair.
Book a visit at our Bronte Street practice to look into a sensitive tooth, a cavity or an older filling. We assess first and explain your options before any treatment.
For significant pain or swelling, please call. Use online requests for non-urgent enquiries.
Visit Milton Dental ClinicUnit 1, 342 Bronte St. S, Milton, ON L9T 5B7Get directions
Clinic hours
- Monday–Thursday
- 11am–7pm
- Friday–Sunday
- By appointment only
Areas we serve
- Milton
- Oakville
- Mississauga
- Georgetown
- Halton Hills
- Acton
- Campbellville
- Brampton
- Burlington
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- Erin
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- Old Milton
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- Hornby
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