The Dental Filling Process in Loveland, OH

A Complete Guide to Restoring Your Smile

At Michael Kreimer, DDS Family and Implant Dentistry in Loveland, OH, dental fillings represent one of our most common and effective restorative procedures. Our patients trust Dr. Kreimer’s gentle approach and over 30 years of experience to address tooth decay and restore both function and beauty to their smiles.

Looking to address tooth decay or replace an old filling? Contact our Loveland dental office at (513) 677-3656 to schedule your appointment with Dr. Kreimer. We welcome patients from Lebanon, Mason, and Montgomery to experience exceptional dental care.

Advanced Filling Technologies at Michael Kreimer, DDS

Dr. Kreimer continually invests in advanced technologies and materials that enhance the filling experience for patients from Loveland and surrounding communities:

State-of-the-Art Dental Filling Materials

For tooth-colored fillings, Dr. Kreimer selects from the latest generation of composite materials, offering significant advantages:

• Nano-Hybrid Composites: These advanced materials contain microscopic particles that provide superior strength and polish, resulting in fillings that resist wear and maintain their appearance over time.
• Shade-Matching Technology: Using specialized shade guides and lighting, Dr. Kreimer selects the exact color match for your natural tooth structure, creating restorations that remain virtually invisible.
• Low-Shrinkage Formulations: Modern composites minimize the polymerization shrinkage that can create gaps between filling and tooth. This reduction in shrinkage helps prevent sensitivity and extends filling longevity.

These material advancements allow Dr. Kreimer to provide restorations that combine exceptional aesthetics with outstanding durability.

The Step-by-Step Dental Filling Process at Michael Kreimer, DDS

When you visit our Loveland practice for a dental filling, Dr. Kreimer follows a methodical approach designed for comfort, effectiveness, and long-lasting results. Understanding each step helps patients feel more at ease throughout their appointment.

1. Comprehensive Examination and Diagnosis

Your appointment begins with a thorough examination of the affected tooth and surrounding structures. Dr. Kreimer uses several diagnostic approaches:

• Visual Assessment: Careful visual inspection with magnification helps identify decay, cracks, or other damage requiring treatment. This examination includes checking how the tooth functions during biting and chewing.
• Digital X-rays: When necessary, high-definition digital X-rays provide detailed images of tooth structures, revealing decay between teeth or beneath existing restorations that visual examination cannot detect. These images use minimal radiation while providing maximum diagnostic value.
• Intraoral Camera: Dr. Kreimer may use an intraoral camera to show you exactly what he sees, helping you understand the need for treatment. These detailed images allow you to make informed decisions about your care.

Based on this comprehensive evaluation, Dr. Kreimer discusses his findings and recommends the most appropriate filling material and technique for your specific situation.

2. Preparation and Pain Prevention

Your comfort remains a priority throughout the filling process. Before beginning the procedure:

• Treatment Discussion: Dr. Kreimer explains the procedure, addressing any questions or concerns you might have. This open communication helps reduce anxiety and ensures you feel prepared.
• Local Anesthesia Administration: Using gentle techniques, Dr. Kreimer administers local anesthesia to numb the treatment area completely. He waits until the anesthetic takes full effect before proceeding, ensuring your comfort.
• Tooth Isolation: A dental dam or other isolation methods keep the treatment area dry and free from saliva. This step improves visibility, increases comfort, and enhances the bonding of filling materials to tooth surfaces.

For patients with dental anxiety, our practice offers sedation dentistry methods. Dr. Kreimer’s extensive training in IV sedation provides additional options for making your dental experience stress-free.

3. Precision Decay Removal

With the area properly prepared, Dr. Kreimer proceeds with careful decay removal:

• Conservative Approach: Using specialized instruments, Dr. Kreimer removes only the decayed portion of the tooth, preserving as much healthy tooth structure as possible. This minimally invasive philosophy maintains the tooth’s natural strength.
• Complete Decay Elimination: All affected tooth structures must be removed to prevent decay from continuing beneath the new filling. Dr. Kreimer carefully inspects the cavity preparation to ensure complete removal.
• Cavity Preparation: The prepared space is shaped to create an optimal foundation for the filling material, supporting long-term stability and function. Different filling materials require specific preparation techniques that Dr. Kreimer customizes for each situation.

Throughout this process, Dr. Kreimer frequently checks with you to ensure your continued comfort. The decay removal process typically takes just a few minutes per tooth.

4. The Dr. Kreimer Difference: Biocompatible Bases and Liners

For deeper cavities approaching the tooth’s nerve (pulp), Dr. Kreimer employs specialized protection techniques that many practices overlook:

• Pulp Protection Protocol: When decay extends close to the nerve, medicinal bases that reduce sensitivity and promote healing are applied. These biocompatible materials create a protective barrier between the filling material and sensitive inner tooth structures.
• Remineralization Promotion: In some cases, dentists use glass ionomer bases that gradually release fluoride, encouraging natural remineralization of the remaining tooth structure. This approach helps strengthen the tooth from within.

This additional step exemplifies Dr. Kreimer’s comprehensive approach to dental care, focusing not just on filling the cavity but on preserving the tooth’s long-term health and vitality.

5. Precision Filling Placement

The filling placement technique varies based on the material selected:

• Composite (Tooth-Colored) Fillings: For these natural-looking restorations, Dr. Kreimer first applies a bonding agent to create a strong attachment between tooth and filling. The composite material is then placed in layers, with each layer hardened using a special curing light. This incremental approach minimizes shrinkage and creates a stronger restoration.
• Silver Amalgam Fillings: When amalgam is selected for its durability in high-pressure areas, Dr. Kreimer carefully condenses the material into the prepared cavity. He shapes the filling to match your bite pattern before it fully hardens.
• Glass Ionomer Fillings: Glass ionomer fillings chemically bond to teeth through an acid-base reaction between the filling’s glass particles and the tooth’s calcium ions, creating a direct adhesive connection without requiring separate bonding agents.
• Gold Inlays/Onlays: For gold restorations, Dr. Kreimer takes detailed impressions after preparing the tooth. A dental laboratory crafts the custom gold restoration, which Dr. Kreimer precisely bonds in place during a second appointment.

Throughout the placement process, Dr. Kreimer pays careful attention to the margins where the filling meets the tooth, ensuring a precise fit that prevents future decay around the edges.

6. Artistic Contouring and Bite Adjustment

After placing the filling material, Dr. Kreimer focuses on creating both functional and aesthetic results:

• Natural Anatomy Recreation: Dr. Kreimer sculpts the filling material to recreate the tooth’s natural anatomy, including proper grooves, ridges, and contours. This careful shaping improves both function and appearance.
• Bite Evaluation: Using special marking paper, Dr. Kreimer checks how upper and lower teeth come together with the new filling. He makes precise adjustments to ensure the filling fits harmoniously with your natural bite pattern.
• Polishing Procedure: The final step involves polishing the filling to a smooth, glossy finish that feels natural against your tongue and reduces plaque accumulation. For tooth-colored fillings, this polishing creates a lifelike appearance that blends seamlessly with the surrounding tooth structure.

This attention to detail distinguishes Dr. Kreimer’s approach, creating fillings that not only repair decay but restore natural tooth function and aesthetics.

Need to address a cavity or replace an old filling? Contact our Loveland dental office at (513) 677-3656 to experience Dr. Kreimer’s precision approach to dental fillings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does getting a dental filling hurt?

Modern dental filling procedures are designed for minimal discomfort, thanks to effective local anesthesia. Your dentist will use gentle injection methods to thoroughly numb the area, allowing the procedure to be pain-free, though some may feel pressure. Mild sensitivity may occur for a few days after treatment, but it usually resolves quickly with over-the-counter pain relievers. For patients with dental anxiety, our practice offers nitrous oxide and IV sedation for a stress-free experience.

What’s the difference between amalgam and composite fillings?

Amalgam (silver) and composite (tooth-colored) fillings have key differences. Amalgam, made from metals like silver and mercury, is very durable and ideal for high-pressure areas like molars, but requires more tooth removal and is visible when speaking or laughing. 

Composite fillings consist of plastic and glass particles that bond to the tooth, preserving more natural structure and blending seamlessly with the tooth color. Although historically less durable, modern composites have improved in strength and aesthetics.

Can existing fillings be replaced with tooth-colored alternatives?

Dentists often replace old metal fillings with tooth-colored alternatives for a more natural look. The process involves removing the old filling, cleaning the tooth, and placing a new composite that matches your tooth color. This not only enhances aesthetics but also allows for the treatment of any decay under the old filling. The decision to replace a functioning filling should consider various factors, including its size, condition, and each patient’s dental needs.