Cosmetic Dentistry
Aesthetic Dental Fillings
Your Best Choice for Dental Fillings in the Elmhurst Area
Fillings have been a staple of dental practices for over a century, so much so that at this point, pretty much everyone knows the basics of how they work. When a pocket of decay (a cavity) is discovered in a tooth, the dentist drills the decay out and fills the hole it leaves with a substance that prevents further damage.
At Guzaitis Dental Group, a practice offering a comprehensive suite of state-of-the-art services, our expert professionals will choose the filling type that’s right for you. We will then perform the procedure in a way that yields the best possible results.
The Basics of Dental Fillings
If you’ve never had a cavity, you are something of a rarity among your Elmhurst neighbors and nationwide as well. According to the US Surgeon General’s Office, 78% of Americans will get a cavity by age 17. Avoiding an excess of sugar, as well as maintaining a regular brushing and flossing routine improve your odds, but even those aren’t absolutely guaranteed to protect you.
Fortunately, dentistry has a remedy for cavities: dental fillings.
A cavity is a spot of decay and breakdown of a tooth. A tooth filling seals the hole and eliminates the decay. If it’s not eliminated, the decay will advance until it reaches the sensitive nerve tissue at the center of the tooth. When this happens, the resulting pain can be severe, and you may need a root canal, a more drastic intervention than a simple cavity filling. So it’s important to get dental fillings if and when your dentist says you need them.
How are Dental Fillings Put in Place?
All on 4 dental implants provide the patient with a complete upper or lower arch of permanent non-removable replacement teeth using only four implants. This dental surgery is minimally invasive and has a 98% success rate. The All on 4 gives the patient a full set of teeth that look and function like healthy natural teeth. The denture is attached to the implants, something that can generally be accomplished on the same visit when the implants are put in place.
What Should You Expect after a Tooth Filling?
All on 4 dental implants are well worth considering if a person wears conventional dentures, is missing multiple teeth, or has severe problems with their own teeth. All on 4 dental implants are also likely to prove an excellent choice for a patient who lacks the bone density to support a complete set of individual tooth implants, the time to get them all placed, or enough money to pay for them. All on 4 dental surgery is quicker and less expensive.
Your Quick Guide to What to Do and Expect after Dental Fillings
- Numbness should wear off after a couple hours
- Until numbness wears off, avoid hot and cold drinks and chewing on the side of the mouth with the new tooth filling
- It’s common for heat and cold sensitivity to occur
- If heat and cold sensitivity last longer than two weeks, or if biting down produces pain, call your dentist’s office
- Brush and floss as per your normal routine
- Keep to your normal schedule of dental cleanings and checkups
The Types of Dental Fillings
There are two basic types of cavity fillings, metal and composite/tooth-colored. Guzaitis Dental Group uses composite fillings. Each type has its advantages and disadvantages, although in the modern era, more dentists are increasingly moving toward composite/tooth-colored fillings. They provide a less conspicuous, more natural appearance and can make it possible to preserve more of the tooth’s natural structure. Some patients even opt to have old metal dental fillings replaced with tooth-colored ones, and such restorations have proved to be safe and durable.
Tooth-Colored Dental Fillings
- Composite fillings are a plastic material that is bonded to the natural structure of the tooth. They’re quite inconspicuous and require less drilling.
- Porcelain tooth fillings are made of cutting-edge ceramics. They can cost more than composites because they may require the use of special computer technology and a dental lab to create. Many people consider them the most aesthetically pleasing alternative, but their relatively high glass content can make them somewhat brittle.
Elmhurst IL Dental Fillings
Services to the Chicagoland, Elmhurst, and Surrounding Areas
If you suspect you need dental fillings, we encourage you to contact our Elmhurst dentist office today. Our cutting-edge family dentistry practice is ready to help you.