Dental fillings restore teeth damaged by decay, returning them to normal function and appearance while preventing further deterioration. These essential restorations remove diseased tooth structure and replace it with durable materials that protect the remaining healthy tooth from additional damage and sensitivity.
At Sonrisa Family Dental, our Chicago dentists provide high-quality dental fillings using the latest materials and techniques to ensure comfortable treatment and long-lasting results. Our experienced team serves patients throughout the Chicago area, offering both traditional and tooth-colored filling options to meet your functional and aesthetic needs.
Understanding Tooth Decay and Cavities
Tooth decay develops when bacteria in your mouth produce acids that gradually dissolve tooth enamel, creating small holes called cavities. Without prompt treatment, these cavities continue growing deeper into the tooth structure, potentially reaching the nerve and causing severe pain or infection.
Plaque constantly forms on teeth. When you eat or drink anything with sugar, the bacteria present in plaque create acids that attack your enamel and can form cavities over time. Early detection and treatment with fillings prevent minor cavities from becoming major dental problems requiring more extensive treatment.
Early Signs of Tooth Decay
Recognizing cavity symptoms helps you seek treatment before minor problems become major complications. Many early cavities cause no symptoms, making regular dental examinations essential for early detection and treatment.
Common signs that may indicate you need a filling include tooth sensitivity to hot, cold, or sweet foods and drinks. You might also notice visible holes or dark spots on teeth, rough or sharp edges, or food consistently getting stuck in the same area.
The Importance of Prompt Treatment
Delaying cavity treatment allows decay to progress deeper into the tooth structure, potentially reaching the pulp chamber containing nerves and blood vessels. Once decay reaches this level, root canal treatment or tooth extraction may become necessary instead of a simple filling.
Types of Dental Filling Materials
Modern dentistry offers several filling materials, each with specific advantages depending on the location and size of your cavity, your budget, and your aesthetic preferences. We help you choose the best option for your individual needs.
Composite Resin Fillings
Tooth-colored composite fillings provide natural-looking restorations that blend seamlessly with your existing teeth. These fillings bond directly to your tooth structure, requiring less removal of healthy tooth material compared to traditional metal fillings.
Composite fillings work especially well for front teeth and visible areas where appearance matters most. The material can be precisely matched to your tooth color and shaped to restore your tooth’s natural contours and function.
Amalgam Fillings
Traditional silver amalgam fillings offer exceptional durability and longevity, particularly for back teeth where chewing forces are greatest. These fillings have been used successfully for over 150 years and continue to provide reliable service for large cavities in posterior teeth.
While less aesthetically pleasing than tooth-colored options, amalgam fillings resist wear and provide excellent sealing properties that help prevent recurrent decay around the restoration margins.
The Filling Procedure Process
Getting a dental filling typically requires just one appointment and involves several carefully executed steps to ensure optimal results. Understanding the process helps reduce anxiety and allows you to know what to expect during treatment.
We begin by numbing the area around your tooth with local anesthetic to ensure your complete comfort throughout the procedure. Once you’re numb, we carefully remove all decayed tooth structure using specialized dental instruments.
Cavity Preparation
After removing the decay, we shape the cavity preparation to provide optimal retention and support for your filling material. This step ensures your filling will stay securely in place and provide years of reliable service.
For composite fillings, we apply a bonding agent that helps the filling material adhere strongly to your tooth structure. This chemical bond creates a seal that helps prevent bacteria from entering around the filling edges.
Filling Placement and Finishing
We place your filling material in layers, carefully shaping and contouring it to match your tooth’s natural anatomy. For composite fillings, each layer is hardened with a special curing light before adding the next layer.
Once your filling is complete, we check your bite to ensure proper alignment and make any necessary adjustments. Final polishing creates a smooth surface that resists staining and feels natural against your tongue and cheeks.
Caring for Your Dental Fillings
Proper care helps your fillings last many years while maintaining optimal oral health. The key to filling longevity lies in maintaining excellent oral hygiene and avoiding habits that can damage your restorations.
Most fillings last 5-15 years, depending on the material used, the size and location of the filling, and your oral hygiene habits. Regular dental checkups allow us to monitor your fillings and recommend replacement when necessary.
Daily Maintenance Guidelines
Effective filling care involves several important daily practices:
- Regular brushing and flossing: maintain excellent oral hygiene to prevent decay around your filling margins
- Fluoride use: use fluoride toothpaste and rinse to strengthen tooth enamel and prevent new cavities. Professional fluoride treatment can complement at-home fluoride use.
- Avoiding hard foods: don’t chew ice, hard candies, or other objects that could crack or dislodge your fillings
- Limiting sugary foods: reduce cavity-causing bacteria by minimizing sugar and acid exposure
- Professional cleanings: maintain your recommended cleaning schedule for early detection of filling problems
The area where your filling meets your natural tooth requires special attention because new cavities can develop in these locations if plaque accumulates. Proper brushing technique and regular flossing help prevent recurrent decay.
Large Fillings and Alternative Treatments
Very large cavities may require alternatives to traditional fillings when insufficient tooth structure remains to support a filling adequately. In these cases, crowns or other restorative options may provide better long-term protection.
When Crowns Become Necessary
When decay affects more than half of your tooth’s chewing surface, a crown typically provides better protection than a large filling. Crowns distribute chewing forces more evenly across the entire tooth, reducing the risk of fracture.
Inlays and Onlays
These laboratory-made restorations provide a middle ground between fillings and crowns for moderately large cavities. Inlays and onlays offer superior fit and durability compared to large fillings while preserving more natural tooth structure than crowns require.
Insurance Coverage and Treatment Costs
Most dental insurance plans provide excellent coverage for basic fillings because they’re considered preventive care that helps avoid more expensive treatments later. We work with your insurance company to maximize your benefits and minimize your out-of-pocket costs.
We accept most major insurance plans, including medical card insurance, and offer flexible payment options to make dental care affordable for all patients. Our team reviews costs and coverage before treatment begins, ensuring complete transparency about your investment in oral health.
Restore Your Teeth with Quality Fillings at Sonrisa Family Dental
Don’t let tooth decay compromise your oral health and comfort. Our skilled team at Sonrisa Family Dental provides gentle, effective filling treatment using the latest materials and techniques to restore your teeth while maintaining their natural appearance. We take the time to ensure your complete comfort during treatment and provide the education you need to keep your fillings and natural teeth healthy for years to come.
Early treatment saves time, money, and discomfort compared to waiting until problems become severe. Schedule your appointment online to restore your teeth with high-quality dental fillings that protect your oral health and maintain your confident smile.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are my teeth just sensitive, or do I have a cavity?
What causes a cavity to develop?
Can I still get a cavity if my tooth already has a filling?
Is it possible to have more than one filling done at the same visit?
Are silver amalgam fillings safe?
Does it hurt to get a filling?
When can I eat after my visit?
How long do dental fillings last?
How much do fillings cost?
Does dental insurance cover the cost of a bridge?
