When dental decay compromises a tooth’s structural integrity, a filling is placed to restore its natural form and function.
Because tooth decay, also known as dental caries, remains one of the most prevalent chronic diseases affecting children and adults worldwide, dental fillings are a routinely performed treatment.
At Miller Center Dental, we provide precise, gentle treatment and stay at the forefront of advances to offer patients the highest-quality, aesthetically pleasing, and durable dental fillings.
According to archaeological findings, efforts to provide emergency and restorative care have existed as long as dental problems. Attempts to place dental fillings were found in skeletal remains dating back to around 8000 BC. However, it wasn’t until the 19th century that various metal fillings, including dental amalgam, appeared. Although gold became a popular restorative material, amalgam fillings, made of mercury and an alloy of silver, tin, and copper, proved to be a less expensive, durable, and simpler alternative.
Until recent decades, most dental fillings were silver-colored amalgam restorations. However, in the last 50 years, new filling materials have been developed. While amalgam fillings are durable, newer materials are mercury-free, metal-free, and more aesthetic. These tooth-colored or white fillings restore the tooth’s form and function while blending seamlessly with the remaining tooth structure and smile.
At Miller Center Dental, we tailor treatment to your specific dental needs and care expectations. As with all our services, we explain all your options, including the types of dental filling materials we offer. Our goals are to gently remove decay and damaged tooth structure, then rebuild your tooth’s form and function while providing healthy, durable, long-lasting, and cosmetically pleasing results.
While traditional dental materials like gold and amalgam have been in use for over a century, recent advances in dental technology have made a wider, more advanced selection of restorative options widely available. Beyond offering strength and durability, these new filling materials provide aesthetically pleasing and natural-looking results. Some commonly used filling materials include the following:
Composite fillings, often called tooth-colored or white fillings, consist of biocompatible resins and finely ground glass-like fillers that become strong and durable when set. Available in a full range of natural shades, they offer a cosmetically pleasing alternative to traditional silver fillings. Composite resins are also used in dental bonding to improve tooth color or shape, mask defects, or close minor gaps.
Composite fillings bond to natural tooth structure, sealing and strengthening the tooth. They closely match your natural tooth color and require removing less tooth structure. Unlike amalgams, they do not expand or contract with temperature changes. However, composites can be more vulnerable to wear and staining and may need replacement over time.
For many years, amalgam fillings represented the standard of care for restoring decayed teeth. While they don’t offer the cosmetic appeal of other filling materials, amalgam restorations are strong, durable, and less likely to break or wear down than other fillings.
Another type of white filling material, glass ionomer cement, bonds to the tooth’s surface to provide a tight seal between the tooth and the surrounding oral environment. Besides offering a natural-looking restoration, glass ionomer cements slowly release fluoride, strengthening the tooth and helping protect it from future decay. Since they are not as durable or wear-resistant as other filling materials, glass ionomers are most frequently used to treat baby teeth, cavities near the gumline, and in temporary fillings.
Ceramic fillings, inlays, and onlays are fabricated from the highest quality of dental porcelain and ceramics. As the most stain- and wear-resistant option in tooth-colored fillings, these restorations offer durable, attractive, and long-lasting results. While “direct” fillings such as dental amalgam and composite fillings are placed immediately after the tooth is prepared, “indirect” fillings such as inlays or onlays are fabricated outside the mouth before insertion and cementation or bonding.
Far less common these days and more expensive than other materials, gold fillings remain excellent restorations. With excellent physical and chemical properties, gold fillings are strong, long-lasting, kind to the surrounding tissues, and remain stable over time.
Once our office has assessed your smile, we’ll share our findings and outline a comprehensive treatment plan to help ensure your smile is healthy and functions at its best. If any tooth decay is detected, we’ll schedule appointments to treat the cavities and place the necessary fillings or restorations.
At Miller Center Dental, patient care and comfort are our top priorities. While treating cavities and placing fillings are among the most routine procedures in dentistry, our office understands that you have questions and concerns, and we will keep you well informed every step of the way.
Treating a cavity involves the precise, gentle removal of decayed and damaged tooth structure, along with any preparation of the remaining tooth structure needed to secure your new filling. Although every patient and every smile is different, you can expect your visit to take about an hour.
In most cases, this visit is performed under local anesthesia. Your tooth will be completely numb, so you should not feel discomfort. A dental drill, laser, or air abrasion can remove decay. Once the cavity is cleaned and healthy tooth structure remains, the filling is placed. The type of filling material determines the placement method. Composite, glass ionomer, and amalgam fillings are usually placed immediately. For extensive cavities, a small palliative dressing and temporary filling may be used. Whatever the filling type, we check the fit, polish as needed, and adjust the bite to ensure your comfort and function.
For patients who are anxious about dental work, you can rest assured that the office of Miller Center Dental is mindful of your needs. As skilled, experienced providers of care, we pride ourselves on gentle dentistry and do all we can to make your visit comfortable and stress-free. While we perform dental procedures under local anesthesia, we’re also happy to discuss sedation options.
At Miller Center Dental, our goal is to help our patients enjoy optimal oral health and ensure they are well informed every step of the way.
Immediately after the placement of a new filling, it’s essential to keep the following in mind:
Our office uses the latest, strongest, and most durable filling materials. With proper oral hygiene and routine care, your filling should last many years. However, in cases of extensive decay or injury, even the best restoration may need to be replaced or require further dental work later.
We’re passionate about what we do and dedicated to providing the highest quality of care. If you have any additional questions or concerns, feel free to contact our office.
If enjoying ice cream or tea is overshadowed by dental pain, it’s time to contact our office. As skilled providers, we’ll determine the cause of your discomfort and provide treatment to relieve your symptoms and restore your oral health.
Cavities develop because of an infectious process that causes progressive damage to tooth structure. Despite starting as a pinpoint defect on the outermost enamel layer of your tooth, untreated dental decay progressively compromises more and more healthy tooth structure as it works its way to the inner layers of your tooth.
Yes, you can still develop decay on other tooth surfaces, around old filling margins, or, less often, beneath them. Therefore, maintain excellent oral hygiene, avoid sugary drinks and sweets, and visit our office for routine checkups. While tooth decay is second only to the common cold in frequency, it is almost entirely preventable.
We value our patients’ time and comfort. If cavities are on adjacent teeth or the same smile section, we may treat more than one tooth during your visit. However, how much is done depends on several factors. We keep patients informed and tailor each treatment plan and visit to their unique needs.
Addressing concerns about elemental mercury in silver fillings, the American Dental Association (ADA), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the FDA, and the World Health Organization have all stated that amalgam restorations do not pose a health risk. However, individuals with allergies or sensitivities to dental amalgam metals are advised to pursue other restorative options.
Dental fillings are performed under local anesthesia to help ensure your comfort throughout the entire procedure. The involved tooth remains completely numb throughout your visit. Within one or two hours after the procedure is completed, the local anesthetic will gradually wear off, and normal sensations will return.
A tooth-colored composite filling is fully hardened and set by the end of your visit. However, we may advise you to wait a couple of hours until the local anesthesia has completely worn off. This advice is to help ensure you don’t accidentally bite your lip, cheek, or tongue while still numb.
The lifespan of a dental filling depends on the material used. While popular dental materials can last a decade or more with proper care, they can degrade over time, wear down, or even break. When this happens, you may experience some tooth sensitivity, a jagged edge, or a loose or dislodged piece of filling material. Whatever the case may be, it’s essential to get the filling replaced before the tooth sustains further damage or other consequences arise. Beyond taking good care of your smile, we can help ensure the longevity of your fillings. Our office regularly checks the status of your existing fillings during routine checkup exams.
Dental fillings are an essential investment in preserving and protecting your smile’s health. The cost depends on the number of tooth surfaces involved and the filling material used. Amalgam restorations are the most economical. Tooth-colored composite fillings cost slightly more but are metal-free and more aesthetically pleasing. Ceramic fillings, inlays, and onlays are more expensive but offer outstanding, long-lasting, natural-looking results.
Dental insurance typically covers the cost of dental fillings. While we work with you to maximize your insurance benefits, there may still be an out-of-pocket expense. At the office of Miller Center Dental, we strive to help you begin care without any additional financial stress or delay.