Dental Fillings

Do you have a cavity, worn and weakened teeth from clenching and grinding, or chipped or cracked teeth that you’d like to restore? Schedule an appointment for dental fillings with Ausrine Schneider, DDS, at Distinctive Dental in Willowbrook, Illinois. Dental fillings are a quick and easy way to repair teeth and protect them from further damage. Learn more by scheduling an appointment with Dr. Schneider online or over the phone today. 

What are dental fillings?

Dental fillings are materials that restore the structure of teeth damaged by cavities and protect them from further damage by filling them. Dental fillings can also repair minor teeth imperfections, like chips, cracks, or wear from grinding or clenching.

What are dental fillings made from?

Fillings can contain various materials, including silver amalgam, gold, ceramic, glass ionomer, porcelain and composite resin fillings. 

All of these filling materials provide their own advantages and disadvantages. Silver and gold fillings, for example, are strong but more noticeable. Meanwhile, dentists can match composite resin and porcelain fillings to your natural tooth color. 

Bio-Compatible Fillings

Dr. Schneider priotizes overall health and wellness and uses high-quality, non-toxic, biocompatible materials. The most common biocompatible materials are porcelain, plastic, or resin. Porcelain biocompatible fillings  are made from material similar to natural tooth enamel. They are very durable and can be color matched to blend with natural teeth.  Biocompatible resins bond to the tooth and are incredibly durable. They are tooth-colored and more natural looking than traditional silver fillings and less likely to cause sensitivity. Biocompatible fillings are more environmentally friendly. 

Dr. Schneider offers both resin and porcelain biocompatible fillings. When you visit Distinctive Dental for a dental filling, she will help you choose the best material.

What happens during a dental filling appointment?

Getting a dental filling is a simple procedure that takes around half an hour to an hour to complete. At a dental filling appointment, Dr. Schneider starts by taking X-rays to understand your oral health.

To fill a cavity, she first numbs the area she plans to work on, then gently cleans out the cavity removing all decay, debris, plaque, and tartar. Once the cavity is clear, Dr. Schneider cleans, sanitizes, and begins filling your tooth. If she uses a composite resin filling material, she applies it in layers, hardening and strengthening each with a special light. Once the tooth is complete, she polishes it.

Dr. Schneider uses filling material in a procedure called dental bonding to fix a chipped or cracked tooth. During dental bonding, Dr. Schneider first etches the tooth surface to roughen it so the bonding material will stick, then applies an adhesive. Finally, she applies a layer of tooth-colored resin, shaping it to match your natural smile, then hardens it.

How long do fillings last?

How long a filling lasts depends on a number of factors, including its composition and oral hygiene habits. If you brush and floss daily and attend regular dental cleanings, tooth-colored fillings can last up to 15 years. Avoid clenching or biting your teeth to keep them in good working condition for as long as possible. 

If you have a cavity or a tooth imperfection, don’t hesitate to resolve the issue and prevent further damage with dental fillings. Book your appointment with Dr. Schneider at Distinctive Dental online or over the phone today.