Dental Fillings

If the pleasure of eating a delicious bowl of ice cream or sipping a soothing cup of tea gets overshadowed by dental pain that makes you wince; it's time to contact our office. As skilled providers of care, we'll determine what's causing your discomfort and perform the treatment required to alleviate your symptoms and get you back on the road to 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 tooth decay on other surfaces of the tooth, around the margins of an old filling, or in fewer instances, recurrent decay underneath it. For this reason, it's essential to maintain excellent oral hygiene, a diet low in sugary beverages and sweets, and be sure to visit our office for routine checkups and care. While tooth decay is second only to the common cold in frequency, it's almost entirely preventable.

We value the time and comfort of our patients. If cavities are located on adjacent teeth, or in the same section of your smile, it may be possible to treat more than one tooth during your visit. However, how much is done each visit depends on several factors. We keep our patients well informed and tailor every treatment plan and visit to address their unique needs.

Addressing concerns on the presence of elemental mercury in silver fillings, the American Dental Association (ADA), The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the FDA, and the World Health Organization have all stated that amalgam restorations do not pose a risk to health. However, individuals with allergies or sensitivities to the metals in dental amalgam 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 for the extent of your visit. Within one or two hours after the procedure is completed, the local anesthetic will gradually wear off, and normal sensations 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 lifetime of a dental filling varies depending on the type of 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 to help ensure the longevity of your fillings, our office regularly checks the status of your existing fillings as part of a routine checkup exam.

Dental fillings are an essential investment that serves to preserve and protect the health of your smile. With that said, how much a filling costs depends on the number of surfaces of the tooth involved and the filling material that is used. Amalgam restorations are the most economical. While tooth-colored composite fillings have a slightly higher cost, they offer the added benefits of being metal-free and much more aesthetically pleasing. Ceramic fillings, inlays, and onlays are more expensive than the preceding options but provide outstanding, long-lasting, and natural-looking results.

Dental insurances typically cover 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 Chadha & Co Dental, we strive to help you begin care without any additional financial stress or delay.

Dental fillings are restorative materials used to repair teeth that have been weakened by decay or minor damage. They restore the tooth's shape, chewing function and structural stability while preventing further breakdown. Fillings can be direct (placed in a single visit) or indirect (fabricated in a lab and cemented later) depending on the situation.

The process begins with removing diseased tissue and preparing the cavity so the chosen material bonds securely to the remaining tooth. A well-placed filling seals the tooth against bacteria and helps preserve natural tooth structure for long-term oral health. Your dentist will recommend the material and technique that best balance durability, appearance and conservation of healthy enamel and dentin.

Common filling materials include composite (tooth-colored) resins, traditional amalgam, glass ionomer cements, laboratory-made ceramics such as inlays and onlays, and, in select cases, gold restorations. Each material offers different strengths, from the superior aesthetics of ceramics and composites to the long-standing durability of amalgam and gold. Glass ionomers add the benefit of fluoride release for high-risk sites or pediatric care.

Material choice depends on the tooth's location, the size and shape of the defect, occlusal forces it must withstand and the patient's cosmetic priorities. Smaller, visible cavities often benefit from tooth-colored composites, while larger posterior repairs may call for an indirect ceramic or a metal restoration for added strength. Your dentist will explain the advantages and limitations of each option so you can make an informed decision aligned with your oral health goals.

Placing a filling typically begins with a diagnostic exam using visual inspection, digital X-rays and intraoral images to determine the extent of decay. Local anesthesia is administered as needed to ensure patient comfort during removal of diseased tissue with rotary instruments, air abrasion or lasers. Clinicians aim to remove only the infected material while preserving healthy tooth structure for a predictable restoration. The prepared cavity is then cleaned and conditioned according to the material being used.

For direct restorations such as composites and glass ionomers, the material is placed, shaped and cured in the same visit to create a smooth, sealed surface. For indirect solutions like ceramic inlays or onlays, an impression or digital scan is taken and a temporary restoration may be placed while the laboratory fabricates the final piece. During the follow-up appointment, the indirect restoration is bonded or cemented and the bite is adjusted for comfort and function. Final polishing ensures proper contacts and contours that support oral hygiene and longevity.

Advances in composite chemistry and adhesive dentistry have greatly improved the durability and wear resistance of tooth-colored fillings. When placed with meticulous technique, modern composites can provide long-lasting service for many types of restorations. However, their success depends on careful isolation, proper layering and finishing to minimize shrinkage and staining.

Amalgam and ceramic restorations can still offer advantages in high-stress situations; amalgam is known for resisting heavy occlusal forces and ceramics offer excellent color stability and longevity. The choice among these materials should be individualized based on clinical needs rather than a single, universal standard. Your dentist will recommend the most appropriate option to balance strength, appearance and preservation of tooth tissue.

Good oral hygiene is the foundation for long-lasting restorations; brush twice daily with fluoride toothpaste and clean between teeth daily to prevent recurrent decay at restoration margins. Avoiding habits such as chewing ice, opening packages with your teeth or persistent grinding can reduce the risk of premature wear or fracture. Routine dental exams and professional cleanings allow early detection of wear or marginal breakdown so repairs can be addressed before they become more extensive.

Immediately after treatment you may experience numbness and mild sensitivity which usually subsides within a few hours to days as the tooth adapts. If your bite feels uneven or sensitivity increases rather than improves, contact your dental team so the restoration can be adjusted. Reporting any sharp pain, persistent sensitivity or visible cracks promptly helps protect the restored tooth and avoid further complications.

Fillings may need replacement when they show signs of wear, fracture, marginal leakage or when recurrent decay develops at the edges of the restoration. Changes can occur gradually and may be detected on routine exams or with digital X-rays before symptoms appear. Regular monitoring helps determine whether a simple replacement, an onlay or a crown is the best strategy to restore function and prevent further deterioration.

Symptoms that suggest a failing restoration include new or worsening sensitivity, rough or broken chewing surfaces, and food trapping around the tooth. Your dentist will evaluate the cause and recommend the appropriate restorative pathway, which may include repair, replacement or a more extensive restoration if the remaining tooth structure is compromised. Early intervention often preserves more natural tooth tissue and improves long-term outcomes.

Short-term sensitivity after a filling is common and can result from irritation of the dental nerve during cavity preparation, changes in temperature conduction with new materials, or minor inflammation. This sensitivity typically diminishes over days to a few weeks as the nerve settles and the restoration integrates with the tooth. Simple measures such as desensitizing toothpaste and avoiding very hot or cold foods can help during this period.

If sensitivity persists, worsens or is accompanied by severe pain or swelling, further evaluation is necessary to rule out issues such as an improper bite, recurrent decay or the need for deeper restorative work. In some cases additional treatment such as occlusal adjustment, replacement of the restoration or root canal therapy may be recommended based on diagnostic findings. Prompt assessment helps prevent progression and protects the affected tooth.

Ceramic inlays and onlays are indirect restorations fabricated in a laboratory from high-quality porcelain or advanced ceramic materials to repair larger defects while conserving tooth structure. They are designed to precisely fit the prepared cavity and can replicate the color and translucency of natural enamel for excellent aesthetics. Because they are made outside the mouth, ceramics can provide superior marginal fit and resistance to staining compared with some direct materials.

Inlays and onlays are often recommended when a restoration is too large for a direct filling but a full crown would remove more healthy tooth structure. They are bonded to the tooth to distribute biting forces and can extend the functional life of the tooth when properly indicated and cared for. Your dentist will assess whether an inlay, onlay or crown offers the best balance of preservation, strength and appearance for your situation.

Children’s fillings require special consideration for behavior, tooth anatomy and caries risk; glass ionomer materials are commonly used in pediatric dentistry because they chemically bond to tooth structure and release fluoride. Smaller primary teeth and developing permanent teeth may benefit from materials and techniques tailored to the child’s cooperation and long-term dental plan. Behavior management strategies and a calm, reassuring environment help ensure successful treatment outcomes for young patients.

Primary teeth with appropriately placed restorations help maintain space for erupting permanent teeth and support proper chewing and speech development. Regular follow-up is important to monitor restored primary teeth until they exfoliate and to confirm that any restorations on permanent teeth are performing well as the child grows. Preventative measures, parental education and routine care remain central to minimizing the need for future restorative work.

At Chadha & Co Dental our restorative philosophy emphasizes conservative preparation, careful material selection and clear communication so patients understand the rationale for each recommendation. We use modern diagnostic tools, contemporary bonding systems and high-quality restorative materials to achieve functional, long-lasting and natural-looking results. Treatment plans are individualized to account for the tooth’s needs, occlusion and the patient’s esthetic expectations.

Comfort and patient education are central to our approach; we discuss anesthesia options, steps in the procedure and realistic recovery expectations to reduce anxiety and improve the treatment experience. Post-treatment follow-up and routine maintenance visits help ensure restorations continue to perform well and allow timely care if adjustments or replacements are needed. Patients with questions about fillings can contact the office for guidance or to schedule an evaluation.