To treat a cavity, your dentist will remove the decayed portion of the tooth and then “fill” the area on the tooth where the decay was. Fillings are also used to repair cracked, broken or injured teeth and teeth that have been worn down from nail-biting, tooth grinding or other misuse.
Teeth can be filled with white porcelain, silver amalgam or a white glass material called composite resin fillings. Your dentist’s recommendation helps determine the type of filling that will best address your needs. General considerations include the extent and location of the decay, the cost of the filling material, and your insurance coverage.
To maintain your fillings you should follow good oral hygiene practices and visit your dentist regularly for cleanings. Additionally, make sure to brush with a toothpaste containing fluoride, and floss at least once daily.
If your dentist suspects that a filling might be cracked, he or she will take x-rays to assess the situation. If your tooth is extremely sensitive, you feel a sharp edge, you notice a crack in the filling, or a piece of the filling is missing, call your dentist for an appointment.
At Exquisite Smiles Oak Park, we offer several options of affordably priced fillings. Our quality fillings help you prevent more serious dental health issues and painful dental emergencies down the road.
I was in a fragile emotional state when I first came to Exquisite Smiles earlier this year, because I had to stop seeing my previous dentist due to him no longer being in network with my insurance. I ... Read More
I’ve been a patient, along with my husband and four kids, for twenty years. Every one in this practice is amazing.
One of the friendliest and most professional dental groups. 1,000,000% better than my experience at A Brilliant Smile, where my appointments were canceled with no reason provided. All dental care sh... Read More
I was in a fragile emotional state when I first came to Exquisite Smiles earlier this year, because I had to stop seeing my previous dentist due to him no longer being in network with my insurance. I have not only bad teeth (multiple cavities, root canals, extractions - when it comes to my mouth, you name it, I probably got it), but also severe anxiety when I'm in a dentist's office, and it's always an ordeal for me to start working with someone new. Well, I couldn't have made a better choice! Dr. Valerie Levrant is PHENOMENAL - not only she is a great, very thorough dentist, but also has a very friendly and warm personality, and a great sense of humor. Her assistant, Mariella, is so friendly and outgoing that I felt like I was chatting with a friend, not a dental assistant. Between the two of them they made me so comfortable that I was actually looking forward to my visits - which, coming from me, is the highest compliment! DEFINITELY recommended!
I’ve been a patient, along with my husband and four kids, for twenty years. Every one in this practice is amazing.
One of the friendliest and most professional dental groups. 1,000,000% better than my experience at A Brilliant Smile, where my appointments were canceled with no reason provided. All dental care should be this easy!!