Fillings are among some of the most common restorative procedures performed in a dental office.  It allows patients to save their teeth from progressive tooth decay, which untreated, could lead to more involved treatments or tooth loss.  When a cavity is detected, either on clinical exam or through the use of dental radiographs (x-rays), removing the decay and placing a tooth-colored filling is the treatment of choice.  With today’s dental materials and techniques, it is often hard to tell if a tooth even has a filling placed in it.  The earlier decay is detected, the more conservative the treatment can be.  While some cavities have symptoms, such as hot and cold sensitivity or pain, others have no symptoms whatsoever.  And sometimes waiting until symptoms arise can cause more involved treatment than the placement of a routine, tooth-colored filling.  So early detection, through routine dental visits, is very important.