The first thing that the dentist does before starting the procedure of filling is to get the consent to treat you. After that, the dentist reviews an X-ray. If the tooth is still sensitive, then he applies some topical anesthetic. The next step is the dentist will place a rubber dam to keep the tooth safe and isolated. Then the tooth is cleared of any old restoration in case there is some. Then he proceeds to remove the decay. This is done through precise dental equipment.
After all the decay is removed, he shapes the restoration for the filling. Sometimes a matrix band and wedges are placed in the contact needs to be replaced. Depending on the depth, he sees if there is a need to place a base or a liner. If it is a silver filling, then the dentist keeps building up the layers and presses them with an instrument until the place is slightly overfilled. Then he carves it to replicate the tooth anatomy. Then the matrix band and the wedges are removed before he checks the bite.
In case the dentist is working with a white filling to match the hue of the tooth, then the tooth is etched with phosphoric acid at times. It is then washed and dried. The dentist then places the bonding in. He cures it with blue light just as he cures the layers of white filling afterward. He cures it one last time after creating the tooth anatomy. He then adjusts and polishes it before checking the bite. Then the rubber dam is removed before he asks you to check the filling using a mirror or an intraoral camera.