Services

Fillings and crowns

Repairing a tooth that has a cavity, a chip or a crack: a filling where there's enough tooth left, a crown where there isn't.

What happens

Step by step

A filling is usually one visit. A crown is usually two, a few weeks apart.

01
Step 1: She shows you the problem
Dr. Briones explains what she found and your options.
02
Step 2: The tooth is numbed and cleaned out
She removes the damaged part and shapes what's left.
03
Step 3: A filling goes in, or a crown is started
A filling is placed and shaped that day. For a crown she takes an impression and fits a temporary one.
04
Step 4: The finished crown is fitted
A second visit, once the crown is back from the lab.

Good to know

Comfort
She numbs the area before she starts and checks that it's working. Raise a hand any time you want a break.
If you wait
A small cavity grows. A crack can reach the nerve or split the tooth, and then the choice may be a larger repair or taking the tooth out.
Risks and after-care
Teeth can be sensitive to hot and cold for a few days, and a numb lip or tongue wears off in a few hours. Fillings and crowns can chip or come loose over time. Call us if your bite feels high or the sensitivity doesn't fade.
How it's billed
Not in the yearly fee. You get a written estimate with the member fee on it before we start.
How fees work

Questions

It depends on how much healthy tooth is left. Dr. Briones shows you the tooth and says which she recommends and why.

She uses tooth-colored materials where they suit the tooth, and tells you if she would use something else.

Crowns wear over time. How long one lasts depends on the tooth, your bite and your habits, so we won't give you a number.

Your care is provided by Dr. Graciela Briones, a general dentist. Ask for a visit, and get the fee in writing first.