Tooth Fillings

Before Traditional Silver Fillings
Before Traditional Silver 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.

Before Traditional Silver Filling
Before Traditional Silver Filling

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.

After Composite Resin Tooth Colored Fillings
After Composite Resin Tooth Colored Fillings

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.

After Composite Resin Tooth Colored Filling
After Composite Resin Tooth Colored Filling

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.

What Our Patients Say

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Very happy with my care at this office. I have not had a hygienist or dentist at this office that hasn’t treated me very compassionately and professionally. Have been a patient here over 30 years!

- Tom B. 07/13/2022

What Our Patients Say

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Teeth look amazing!!! I would highly recommend Oswego Dental Group if you are looking to have work done!

- David L. 05/23/2022

What Our Patients Say

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Super friendly and very professional. My whole family have been patients there for many years. Wouldn’t think of going anywhere else.

- Kevin O. 04/15/2022

What Our Patients Say

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I have been going to Oswego Dental Group for years. They are excellent. Pam has been my hygienist and she is thorough, extremely professional and very kind. My family and I highly recommend this dental office.

- Wendy K. 04/11/2022

What Our Patients Say

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Another great experience from the Oswego Dental Group! Jen took great care of my teeth, they have never looked so white! Everyone was super friendly and made sure I was comfortable through my whole visit. See you in 6 months!

- Collin M. 03/02/2022

What Our Patients Say

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Our family has been seen by this practice for many years. Always professional and thorough. They have taken great care of us! Highly recommend!

- Susan R. 01/25/2022

What Our Patients Say

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Dr. Milazzo and Dr. MacDonald are awesome!! So glad I found them after I moved to their area. They are the best. Pam cleans my teeth and she is wonderful, painless too! They take very good care of my teeth! If you are looking for a new Dentist and a good office, then this place is for you!

- Marion G. 06/24/2021

What Our Patients Say

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Dr Milazzo, Sally and the whole staff are the best. THE BEST. I was a mess and had been in pain for a long time before finally finding Dr. Milazzo. I spent a lot of time and a lot of money going to another dentist that just kept making everything worse…I was literally living on protien drinks because it hurt too much to chew. It took a little time (I needed a lot of work done) but Dr Milazzo fixed everything and I can finally eat again. I’m forever grateful for Oswego Dental Group and would without hesitation recommend them.

- Sonya 05/25/2021

What Our Patients Say

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Great experience! Amy did a great job cleaning my teeth and Dr. MacDonald was also professional and very thorough and helped me understand what treatment options were available to me. I highly recommend this dental practice!

- Kristina L. 02/23/2021

What Our Patients Say

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Oswego Dental Group has a staff of kind and caring hygienists and the entire staff does a great job of keeping the entire office clean and safe for people coming in as well as for themselves.

- Karen A. 12/28/2020

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Dr. Milazzo’s dental office is fabulous!!! Very patient friendly!! Sally my dental hygienist is awesome!! Very personable, thorough and gentle!! I love the way you feel after a cleaning! I would not go anywhere else!!

- Cheryl K. 09/22/2020

What Our Patients Say

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I have been a dental patient at the Oswego Dental Group for nearly 15 years and have always been very happy with the care that I have received. Dr MacDonald and all of the hygienists I have ever had are fantastic people and do a great job on my teeth! Love coming here!

- Susan E. 08/18/2020

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Very friendly staff and professional. Always a great experience.

- Kristine F. 04/09/2020

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Always a great experience.

- John S. 02/09/2020

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I love going to my dentist! For 13 years I have never been disappointed and I greatly appreciate how personable and kind the Hygenists have always been! Today my visit was with Pam. I appreciate the time she took to ask how My family and I were going. Dr, MacDonald also took the time to explain a small upcoming procedure I would be having and in doing so put my doubts at ease! Thank you!!!!

- Jeanne P. 02/08/2020

What Our Patients Say

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Best dentist experience. Everyone from the receptionist to Dr Milazzo and Dr Macdonald are very friendly. Pam is an amazing dental hygienist. She is absolutely fantastic. Extremely thorough and friendly. I’m sure everyone is great as well but I’ve only had the pleasure of having my teeth cleaned by Pam and have no need to search elsewhere. Thanks everyone at Oswego Dental Group for making my dental visit a good one.

- Ryan I. 08/17/2019