Service
Fillings and crowns
Repairing a tooth that has a cavity or a crack, so you can chew on it.
A filling fills the damaged part of a tooth. A crown covers the whole tooth when the damage is bigger. Dr. Almaraz shows you what she sees and tells you which of the two she recommends and why.
What it includes
An exam of the tooth
Numbing the area
The filling or the crown
Instructions for afterward
What happens
A filling usually takes one visit. A crown usually takes two, about two weeks apart.
- 01
The tooth is checked
Dr. Almaraz shows you the cavity or the crack and explains the options.
- 02
The area is numbed
With a local anesthetic, before she touches the tooth.
- 03
The tooth is repaired
She removes the damaged part and places the filling, or prepares the tooth for the crown.
- 04
A temporary tooth, if needed
For a crown, you leave with a temporary one until the second visit.
Comfort, alternatives and aftercare
Comfort
We numb the area before we start. If you feel pain during the work, raise your hand and we stop.
Alternatives and waiting
A small cavity can grow if left alone. If you would rather wait, Dr. Almaraz tells you what to watch for, and you decide.
Aftercare and billing
Your mouth can stay numb for a few hours; wait to eat until it wears off. Afterward the tooth can be tender for a few days. You get the cost in writing before we start.
How fees work
Questions about this service
What is the filling made of?
Dr. Almaraz explains the materials that could work for your tooth and the difference between them before one is chosen.
How many visits does a crown take?
Usually two, with a temporary tooth in between.
How long does a filling or crown last?
It depends on each mouth and how it is looked after. Dr. Almaraz can't promise a length of time, but she tells you what helps it last.
Ask for a look at your tooth
Tell us what you feel and we give you a time.
Care is provided by a general dentist, Dr. Sonia Almaraz, DDS, licensed in Arizona.