Fillings are necessary when a tooth has decay that needs to be removed. Once local anesthetic is applied and the decayed portion of the tooth is removed,  Dr. Michelle will thoroughly clean the tooth and fill it to keep it's integrity. Materials for fillings range from silver amalgam to gold, and composite resins that can color-match your existing tooth. Teeth with decay can be painful, but also can be painless and therefore go undetected - This is why routine exams and x-rays are critical to catching oral issues early on.