A Cavity Does Not Get Smaller on Its Own.
Most patients who have been told they have a cavity and have not scheduled the filling yet are not avoiding it because they doubt the diagnosis. They are avoiding it because they are not sure what the general dental procedure involves or what it will cost. Grand Prairie Family Dental, located in Grand Prairie TX, offers cavity fillings and tooth-colored restorations under Dr. Behrooz Khademazad, DDS, who has practiced at this location since August 28, 1988. His approach is consistent: fill only what needs to be filled, explain every step before it happens, and provide a written cost estimate before anything is scheduled.
If you have been sitting on a cavity for weeks or months, you are not alone. Patients from Westchester and Dalworth Park come to Dr. Khademazad in exactly that situation every week. Most leave saying the same thing: the procedure was quicker and calmer than they expected, and they wish they had not waited so long.
What Is a Cavity and How Does It Form
A cavity forms when bacteria in the mouth produce acid that erodes the hard outer layer of your tooth called enamel. Left untreated, the decay moves through the enamel into the softer dentin layer underneath and eventually toward the pulp where the nerve lives. The American Dental Association identifies tooth decay as one of the most common chronic health conditions in adults, and most cavities cause no pain or sensitivity until they have progressed well past the enamel.
This is why regular exams with digital X-rays matter. Dr. Khademazad catches decay in its earliest stages before it causes symptoms. A cavity identified in the enamel is a simple filling. That same cavity left untreated for six to twelve months becomes a root canal case. The clinical difference between those two outcomes is significant in both cost and complexity.
Types of Fillings Available at Grand Prairie Family Dental
The material used for your filling depends on the location of the tooth, the size of the cavity, and your aesthetic goals. Grand Prairie Family Dental uses tooth-colored composite resin as the primary filling material because it bonds directly to the tooth structure, requires less removal of healthy tooth tissue, and matches the natural color of your surrounding teeth. Here is a quick overview of the options available:
- Composite resin: Tooth-colored, bonds to natural enamel, virtually invisible, now the standard for most cavities at GPFD
- Amalgam: Silver-colored, highly durable, used in certain clinical situations where composite is not the best fit
- Inlay or onlay: Used when a cavity is too large for a standard filling but not severe enough to require a full crown
- Replacement of old amalgam fillings: Patients with aging silver fillings can discuss replacing them with tooth-colored composite at any routine exam
Dr. Khademazad selects the most conservative material that achieves a durable, natural-looking result for your specific tooth. If you have old silver fillings that are cracking, leaking, or simply bothering you aesthetically, that conversation can happen at your next exam.
What to Expect During Your Filling Appointment
Most simple cavity fillings at Grand Prairie Family Dental are completed in a single appointment of 30 to 60 minutes. Dr. Khademazad applies local anesthetic before any work begins and confirms you are fully numb before proceeding. Most patients feel pressure and vibration during the procedure but not pain.
Once the decay is removed the tooth is cleaned and the composite resin is placed in layers, shaped to match your bite, and hardened with a curing light. The final step is polishing the surface so the filling blends naturally with the surrounding tooth. Post-procedure sensitivity to temperature is common for a few days and resolves on its own in most cases.
