The area around the affected tooth will be numbed up, usually with the use or a topical anesthetic and/or a shot in the gums or inside of the cheek. A thin needle is used for the shot, and it contains a numbing agent such as lidocaine. The needle may be inserted in several different areas around the tooth, but the process only takes about one minute and is relatively painless.

The dentist will wait several minutes until the area is numb.
A drill or laser will be used to remove the damaged areas of the tooth.
A gel will be used to clean the area afterward.
The filling material will be applied to fill the tooth.
Adhesives and composite material will be placed on top of the tooth to protect and seal it.
A bonding light may be used for several seconds to harden the material.
The dentist will smooth out any rough edges and polish the tooth