Dental Cosmetic Fillings
What is a Dental Filling?
A dental filling is a restoration that is specifically used to fill in an area of one or more teeth that have become decayed. Dental decay, known as a cavity, can infiltrate a tooth and cause it to become weak. Over time, the decay essentially eats into the tooth to reach the inner pulp. Before the decay is allowed to get to this point, it's removed and replaced with a tooth-colored composite resin filling.
Why might a Dental Filling be needed?
If you ignore a cavity long enough, the tooth will require a full root canal. This can cause the tooth to become weakened over time. In order to essentially protect the tooth and get rid of the underlying decay, we recommend having a filling placed. Fillings are simple restorations that can be matched to the color of your existing smile.
Who is a candidate for Dental Fillings?
In many cases, you won't know you have a cavity until you come in for an exam. During the exam, we use a special instrument to look for dark areas or soft spots in a tooth. X-rays further help us in identifying these trouble areas. If you have a cavity, it's recommended that it be filled sooner rather than later.
What happens during the Dental Filling process?
We first numb the area of the mouth needing the filling. The decay is removed from the tooth completely. The next step is to prep the tooth for the new composite filling. We do this by applying an etching gel into the small hole, washing it away and then packing the hole with resin. The resin is cured and hardened with a special dental light. We can place multiple fillings in the same area, and we recommend coming in for treatment as soon as it's found that you have a cavity.
If you think you might need a dental filling and want to know more about the procedure, contact our office today and one of our friendly team members will be happy to help.
Explore More Services
Fluoride Treatments
Fluoride treatments are ideal for patients who want to protect their teeth and prevent future issues with tooth decay. If you don’t get enough fluoride through the water you’re drinking or the products you’re using, we might recommend that you have additional fluoride treatment applied to your teeth.
Root Canals
At Confident Smiles, nestled in the heart of downtown Chicago, we blend state-of-the-art technology with unparalleled dental expertise to deliver transformative root canal treatments. Dr. George Barsa and Dr. Carla Delafuente, along with our dedicated team, specialize in providing a pain-free, efficient root canal process that not only relieves your discomfort but also restores the beauty of your smile.
Sedation Dentistry
Sedation dentistry involves administering a sedative to put you to sleep during your dental appointments. If you’re fearful of the dentist and regularly experience anxiety and panic attacks, sedation dentistry is the right option for you.
Teeth Whitening
Professional whitening can eliminate years of stains and deep discoloration. We offer both in-office and take-home whitening that delivers high-quality results that you’ll need to see to believe.