You'll have a local anesthetic to numb the tooth area. This will help prevent any pain. You may not need an anesthetic if the filling is just on the tooth surface. Once the area is numb, your dentist will most likely use a dental drill to drill through the tooth enamel to remove the decay.

Can a fillings be done without anesthesia?

Silver Diamine Fluoride (SDF)

SDF is a new cavity treatment that is FDA-approved. It's a liquid used to treat cavities without an injection or drilling. It's the solution to getting a dental filling without numbing.

Is anesthesia necessary for tooth filling?

Having a cavity filled only requires a single office visit. During the visit, the area to be treated will be numbed so you feel no pain during the procedure. Most dentists will do this by giving you a shot of a local anesthetic (like Novacaine) in the gum area near where they will be working on your tooth.