Dental Fillings in Richardson, TX
If you have a cavity, or you suspect one, the first thing we do is listen. Then we explain what is going on, what it will cost, and what your options are before any work begins.
What to Know Before You Get a Filling
Most people come in for one of two reasons. Either a regular checkup turned up a small cavity, or something is hurting and you want it handled. Dental fillings in Richardson TX are the most common restorative treatment we do at Loveable Smiles, and they are usually a short, predictable visit. We will tell you what we see, show you on the X-ray or intraoral image, and walk through the fee before we pick up an instrument.
Dr. Korenman has practiced for more than 30 years, and a lot of that time has been spent fixing fillings that did not need to be redone, or treating small cavities before they turned into root canals. The goal here is straightforward: keep as much of your natural tooth as possible, restore the bite, and send you home with a tooth that looks like a tooth.
If it has been a while since you have seen a dentist, that is fine. We hear that all the time and we do not lecture anyone for the gap. Tell us what you are worried about, and we will take it from there.
What's Involved in Placing a Tooth-Colored Filling
A filling appointment usually takes about an hour, sometimes less for a small one. We start by getting you numb, and we wait until the anesthesia is fully working before anything begins. If you are nervous about the injection itself, say so. We use topical numbing gel first and go slow.
Once the area is comfortable, Dr. Korenman removes the decayed portion of the tooth and cleans the site. The composite resin (the tooth-colored material) is then placed in thin layers and cured with a light. Each layer is shaped to match the contour of your tooth so the bite feels right and floss slides between the teeth the way it should. The whole filling is polished at the end.
Most patients drive themselves home and go back to a normal afternoon. Your lip and cheek may stay numb for an hour or two. You can eat once the numbness wears off, and sensitivity to cold for a few days afterward is common and usually fades on its own.
When a Filling Is the Right Call, and When It Isn't
Fillings work well for small to moderate cavities, chips on the edge of a front tooth, and replacing older silver fillings that have started to leak or crack. If the decay is caught early, a composite filling is often all the tooth needs for many years.
There are situations where a filling is not the honest answer. If a cavity has reached the nerve, you may need root canal therapy before the tooth can be restored. If too much of the tooth structure is gone, a filling will not hold up under chewing forces, and a crown is the more durable choice. When that is the case, we will tell you, show you why on the imaging, and let you decide. When something is outside what a filling can fix, we say so.
We also do not recommend replacing old fillings just because they are old. A silver filling that is intact, sealed, and not causing trouble can stay where it is. We will note it in your chart and watch it over time rather than drilling out something that is still doing its job.
What's Included When You Come In for a Filling at Loveable Smiles
Before any treatment, you get a written estimate. That includes the fee for the filling, what your PPO is expected to cover, and your portion. No surprises at checkout. If you want to think about it overnight or compare it with another quote, that is fine with us.
The visit itself includes the local anesthetic, the composite material, shaping and polishing, and a bite check before you leave. If you grind your teeth or have a history of cracking fillings, Dr. Korenman will bring that up and talk through whether a nightguard might protect the work going forward. We can also schedule a follow-up exam later if you want one.
After the appointment, Dr. Korenman calls you that evening to check in. You also get a direct number to reach him if something feels off over the weekend. Some people call that old-fashioned. We call it the way dentistry should work.
Using Your PPO Insurance for Fillings
Composite fillings are covered, at least in part, by most PPO dental plans. Coverage usually falls in the basic restorative category, which often means a percentage of the fee is paid by insurance after your deductible is met. Some older plans still downgrade tooth-colored fillings on back teeth to the silver filling fee, and you cover the difference. We will check this for you before treatment so you know the actual number.
Loveable Smiles works with most PPO plans. We file the claim for you, apply your benefits at the time of service, and give you the estimate in writing before you say yes. If a filling is not covered the way you hoped, we will tell you what your options are, including paying out of pocket or breaking the work into more than one visit. You can read more on our Dental Insurance page.
Why Treating a Cavity Early Saves You More Than Money
A small cavity caught at a routine checkup is usually a one-hour appointment and a modest fee. The same tooth, two years later, can become a much larger conversation involving Root Canal Therapy and a crown, or in some cases an extraction and an implant. Catching decay early keeps the treatment smaller, the cost lower, and more of your natural tooth intact.
Composite fillings are also conservative by design. Because the material bonds directly to the tooth, we can remove less healthy structure than we would with older filling techniques. The result is a repair that blends into the smile and supports the tooth for years with normal brushing, flossing, and regular Dental Cleanings.
If a tooth ever needs more than a filling, you are already at a practice that handles the next step. Dr. Korenman provides Restorative Dentistry and works with patients on cosmetic and implant options when those become the right path.
Talk to Dr. Korenman About Your Tooth
Tell us what you are noticing, or bring in a recent X-ray for a second opinion. We will give you a careful look, a clear fee, and a no-judgment chair. Call Loveable Smiles in Richardson to book a visit.