“What are the different ways of filling in the oral cavity?”

Yes

The need for anesthesia varies on the size of the lesions, location of the lesions, and patient tolerance of pain. If you desire not to be anesthetized, you can request it, however, it is always recommended. The different ways of filling are use of amalgam (silver filling) or composite (white filling). The decay is removed and the preparation is designed to hold the given material. Ask your dental professional about the different materials available so you can have the appropriate informed consent for what you desire and appropriate expectations for your final result and what to expect.

Simple fillings only require local anesthesia generally

You should have done what you are comfortable with, not necessarily what the dentist wants. Anesthetic use depends on how deep the decay is and your pain tolerance is. Talk to your dentist!

A dentist will evaluate this and give you the option, but generally, anesthetics are given to make you more comfortable in the event the decay is more expansive than what shows on the X-ray. Chances are if he's willing to do quadrants instead of singular fillings, they are not that bad to begin with and possibly no anesthetic will be necessary.

I don't know how extensive of a filling job you are looking at. I would ask that question to your dentist. However, they are usually pretty good at doing a local block sufficient enough to do most fillings in the office. If it is more extensive than that they usually will recommend anesthesia be a part of it if needed.

There are a couple of ways that a dentist can remove decay without having to numb you. They could use a laser or air abrasion. With either of these options, the majority of time (90%+) I don’t need to numb my patients to place fillings. If you already have a silver amalgam filling in your tooth, these options do not work; you will need to be numbed up and have the filling drilled out.

Respectfully,

Dr. Platt

I think it would be more comfortable if you opt for taking Local anesthesia

These are great questions. First fillings come in many varieties. If you are going to have them filled in one session, then your dentist probably is planning on using a direct material such as composite which is predominantly acrylic plastic with porcelain powders for color and strength. These types of direct fillings last on average nine years. Indirect fillings which are either gold or ceramic are more difficult and expensive to place; however can last a lifetime making them less expensive and more healthy in the long term. I always explain the difference to my patients and let them choose which they prefer. For myself and my family I always use indirect materials because they are better for my health and I do not then redrill the same tooth every nine years. As for your second question regarding anesthetic, in my practice the number one rule is "no pain". My patients do not like to feel pain; so we put the tooth to 'sleep' with an anesthetic. Then while it is taking a little nap we clean out the decay and place a filling painlessly. As for you, you have to ask yourself how much do you dislike pain.

What type of anesthesia are you inquiring about? Local anesthesia yes. General anesthesia-- it depends.