Fillings & Tooth Restoration
A filling replaces the part of the tooth that decay has taken. Most take one visit. We numb the tooth, clear the decay, and rebuild the shape in tooth-colored composite that sets hard in the chair.
Book an AppointmentWhat are fillings and tooth restoration?
Decay does not usually hurt until it is deep. Most of the cavities we find turn up on an x-ray or during a cleaning, while the tooth still feels fine. Filling one at that stage means taking out a small amount of tooth and leaving the nerve alone. Wait long enough and the same tooth needs a crown, or a root canal.
If a tooth has started reacting to cold or to sweet, or food keeps packing into the same spot, say something at your next visit. Those are usually the first things you notice. The repair at that point is smaller than the one you need after a tooth starts waking you up at night.
What to expect with fillings and tooth restoration
Comfort
The injection is the worst part, and it is over in seconds. After that, if anything turns sharp, tell us and we add more anesthetic.
Time
One filling usually runs under an hour, start to finish. If you have two or three on the same side, we often do them in one sitting.
After
Numbness hangs around for a couple of hours, so wait to eat. Cold sensitivity for a few days is normal. It should be fading, not growing.
Insurance
Most PPO plans are accepted here. Coverage for fillings is usually partial, so we check your benefits and tell you your share before we start.
Healthy Smiles Are Possible
Look and x-ray
We look at the tooth, take a small x-ray to see how deep the decay goes, and show you the image on the screen before anything gets started.
Numbing the tooth
Numbing gel goes on first, then the local anesthetic. It takes a few minutes to work. We test the tooth before touching it, and we wait longer if you are not fully numb.
Clearing the decay
Out comes the decay, or the old filling. The tooth stays dry behind cotton or a small rubber shield. What you feel is cold water and vibration, nothing sharp.
Rebuilding and bite check
Composite goes in thin layers, each one hardened with a blue light. Then you bite on marking paper so we can find the high spots, adjust them down, and polish the surface smooth.
Replacing old silver fillings
Amalgam lasts a long time, and we do not take out fillings that are still doing their job. One gets replaced when it cracks, or when the seal at the edge gives way and decay works in underneath. An x-ray usually shows that before you feel anything. What goes back in is composite, shaded to match the tooth.
A metal filling is held in by the shape of the cavity, so the preparation has to be cut wider to lock it in place. Composite bonds to the tooth instead, which lets us keep more healthy structure when we redo an old restoration. On a tooth that has already been drilled twice, that difference matters.
Chips, cracks, and worn edges
Not every repair starts with decay. A front tooth chipped on something hard, an edge ground flat over years, a corner broken off an old filling: composite handles all of it. We add it in layers and shape it against the tooth beside it, then polish the surface until the edge catches light the way enamel does.
Some cracks are past what a filling can hold. If the tooth flexes when you bite, or the crack runs under the gum, composite will keep breaking loose and a crown is the honest answer. You hear that from us before we start, not after you have paid twice for the same tooth.
Dr. Ion Rotaru, DMD
Dr. Rotaru holds degrees in biomedical sciences and in dental medicine. He is from Moldova and moved to the United States to practice dentistry. His work is general dentistry, which covers most of what a person needs over a lifetime: checkups and cleanings, fillings, crowns, root canals, and the ordinary repairs in between.
He is fluent in English, Romanian, and Russian, and sees patients in all three languages. His approach starts with the person rather than the chart: what is bothering you, what you have been putting off, what you can manage right now. He would rather spend an extra ten minutes explaining than have you agree to something you do not understand.
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Testimonials
What Patients Say
Real stories from real patients who trusted us with their smiles.
Well, let's be honest. I don't know anyone who actually likes having dental work done. But if you are in need I highly recommend Dr Rotaru. He saw me for the first time after my friend and dentist Angel Lopez retired. And it was under an emergency situation. I had cracked a tooth and was in a lot of pain. He saw me on the same day and explained he would be in and out of the room as he worked me in. He is professional but kind. Understanding, respectful and listens. I am very grateful and have found my new Dentist.
Debi R.
Patient
Dr. Ion Rotaru just performed a root canal. He is compassionate, professional, and caring. He explained the entire process as he went along. That brought peace to me. I love he's my new dentist. Thank you Dr Angel Lopez for taking care of your patients until your very last day! You served the Tampa bay community for very long. May you and Betsy enjoy your retirement.
Josie S.
Patient
Dr. Rotaru was very professional and explained the procedure step by step as he was going along. He was attentive in asking if I had any discomfort as the procedure went along. He explained what I would expect and feel after the procedure. Everything went smooth and painless. Thank you so much.
Miguel P.
Patient
The dentist I had been seeing for 20 years retired. Dr Rotaru and staff were excellent and made the transition feel seamless. What a relief! Highly recommend this practice.
Susan B.
Patient
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
The injection is the part people brace for. Numbing gel goes on first, then a few seconds of pressure and a sting. After that you feel water and vibration and nothing sharp. Raise a hand at any point and we stop. A deep cavity can stay tender for a few days afterward.