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Sensitivity
A tooth may react to sweets, cold drinks, hot foods or brushing near the gumline.
A filling replaces tooth structure damaged by decay or a small fracture. Treating a cavity early can help prevent pain, infection and the need for more extensive care such as a crown, root canal or extraction.
Small cavities may cause no symptoms, which is why examinations and appropriate X-rays matter. As decay progresses, you may notice one or more of the following.
A tooth may react to sweets, cold drinks, hot foods or brushing near the gumline.
Pressure can irritate weakened enamel, exposed dentin or a cavity between teeth.
White, brown or dark areas and small pits may be signs of enamel breakdown or decay.
Food that repeatedly catches between teeth may indicate a cavity, open contact or damaged filling.
Frayed or torn floss can occur around rough decay or a failing restoration.
Early cavities are frequently found before they hurt, allowing more conservative treatment.
The dentist confirms the location and depth of decay, numbs the tooth when needed and removes damaged tissue while preserving healthy structure. The area is cleaned and restored with an appropriate material, often tooth-colored composite. The filling is shaped, polished and adjusted so the bite feels natural. Very deep decay may need a protective liner, crown or other treatment depending on how close it is to the nerve.
Replacing an old filling? See what to expect when a filling falls out and how the dentist checks the tooth before repairing it.
We begin with a diagnosis, explain the options and help you understand the next step. Treatment is based on your examination, health history and individual needs.
An exam and X-rays when appropriate determine the location and depth of decay.
The tooth is numbed as needed and the damaged portion is conservatively removed.
Filling material is placed, shaped and hardened to rebuild the tooth.
The bite is adjusted and we discuss prevention based on your cavity risk.
Lingering temperature pain, spontaneous throbbing, swelling or pain that wakes you can mean decay has reached the nerve. Call promptly so the dentist can determine whether a filling is still appropriate.
For urgent symptoms, see what to expect at an emergency dental appointment.
Star Dental welcomes new patients, accepts Health First Colorado Medicaid and most PPO plans—including many Delta, Cigna, Aetna, MetLife and Guardian plans—and has Spanish-speaking staff available every day. Benefits and coverage are confirmed for each patient. Same-day appointments may be available; call for availability.
Find us at 1490 S Sheridan Blvd in the King Soopers plaza, with free onsite parking and wheelchair accessibility. New patients should arrive 10–15 minutes early with photo ID and insurance information.
There is no reliable at-home size test. The decision depends on the healthy tooth left after decay is removed, whether important parts are cracked or weakened, and the condition of the tissue inside the tooth—not just how large the hole looks.
A tooth can have a small-looking opening with more damage underneath. An old filling may also occupy much of the tooth even when the new cavity seems modest. Tell the dentist about previous repairs, pain when biting and any piece that has broken off; those details help frame the examination.
| Decision factor | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Remaining walls and chewing cusps | The repair needs enough dependable tooth structure to function under chewing pressure. |
| Cracks or a broken cusp | The location and extent of damage may change how the tooth needs to be protected. |
| Pulp health | Inflammation or infection inside the tooth is a different problem from the shape of its outer repair. |
| Bite and restorability | The plan must consider how the tooth will be used and whether it can be predictably restored. |
A filling replaces a damaged portion. When a tooth is too weakened to support that approach, a crown may be considered to cover and protect it. The ADA explains why a large filling and limited remaining tooth structure can lead to a crown recommendation.
Root canal treatment addresses inflamed or infected pulp inside a tooth; it does not replace the need for an appropriate outer restoration. A large cavity does not automatically mean a root canal, and a tooth that needs root canal treatment is not judged by cavity size alone. Cracks also require assessment: AAE guidance makes clear that their location and extent affect treatment.
For example, ask: “Is the concern that a filling would not hold up, or that the nerve is damaged—or both?” Then ask the dentist to show you the finding and explain the alternatives. That separates the reason for each recommendation.
Read about crowns and tooth restoration or root canal treatment when those options are part of your plan. Call 303-222-1414 for an evaluation rather than waiting for the hole to become painful.
Editorial addition prepared by Star Dental · September 19, 2026.
For the benefit and treatment-history questions, see the sponsored Colorado Dental Medicaid Guide’s filling-coverage details.
Call for current availability or send an online appointment request. We respond to phone calls and online requests promptly.