Tooth Fillings

You visit the dentist for your six-month dental cleaning and exam, and you find out you have a cavity. You’re not alone – a majority of Americans will have at least one in their lifetime.

A tooth with decay requires a filling, which is a treatment that returns the tooth to its original function and shape. It also helps prevent further tooth decay and prolong the life of the tooth. Fillings are one of the most common dental procedures.

Oswego Dental Group provides professional tooth fillings that restore the optimal health, function and appearance for your teeth.

Tooth Fillings: Materials

Should you need to fill a cavity, the material used will typically depend on the type and location of the tooth, the extent of the tooth decay and any allergies to filling materials.

Filling materials typically include three types:

Gold. Gold fillings are fabricated in a lab and cemented into place. Gold fillings are very strong and well tolerated by surrounding gum tissue.

Porcelain. Often referred to as inlays or onlays, porcelain tooth fillings typically cover most of the tooth. Custom-formed in a lab and then bonded to the tooth, they are made to match the tooth color and resist staining.

Composite resin. A blend of polymer resin and powdered glass, composite resin fillings are currently used to restore most teeth. Beyond being mercury-free, they are shaded to match the natural tooth color.

Tooth Fillings: Procedure

While different variables may determine the approach, the following are the general steps you might expect for a tooth filling at Oswego Dental Group.

Anesthetic. In many cases, if the decay has moved farther into the tooth, we will administer a local anesthetic to numb the area around the tooth. If the cavity is tiny or the decay has barely impacted the tooth, a filling might not require an anesthetic, depending on your choice.

Decay removal. Once the anesthetic has taken effect, your Oswego Dental Group dentist will remove the decay from the tooth. This is typically done with a dental handpiece, an air-abrasion instrument or a laser. We will then clean the empty space and ensure the hole is the right size and shape to secure your filling material. If you have a local anesthetic, the most you may feel may be some vibrations and pressure.

For a gold or porcelain filling, we will obtain a mold or digital impression of the tooth and forward it to our lab. We also will place a temporary filling for the tooth while the gold or porcelain filling is being created. When the filling is ready – usually a few weeks later – we will have you back to the office to cement it.

For a composite resin filling, we will first etch the tooth surface with a cleaning agent and then apply a thin layer of the bonding agent. Next, we will press in and shape the composite material. We’ll complete the filling by hardening the material and the bonding agent with a special curing light to harden them.

Shaping and polishing. Once your tooth filling is in place, we will further refine its shape so it resembles the original tooth. If the filling is on a biting surface, we will have you bite down on a piece of marking paper to ensure a proper fit. The marks left by the teeth will show us how the new filling contacts the other teeth. If needed, we will make further small refinements and then polish the filling.

Tooth Cavity Treatment: Contact Us Today

With Oswego Dental Group, you can benefit from a filling performed with skill and professionalism, as your tooth is returned to full function. We also add to your convenience with attentive communication and easy appointment scheduling. To find out more about our tooth fillings or make an appointment, contact us at (630) 554-8600 or complete and send our contact form.