Do you experience tooth pain? Do you hide your smile due to chips, cracks, or other damage? Dental Town can help! Your trusted Chicago dentists offer high-quality dental fillings as a part of our restorative dentistry services. Depending on the type of restoration required and the location of the tooth in your mouth, we may recommend amalgam (silver) fillings or composite (tooth-colored) fillings. Call Dental Town for your family’s dentistry needs!
What Are Silver Fillings?
This type of filling is also known as amalgam cavity filling due to its amalgamation of metal materials. Silver fillings are a durable restorative solution for damaged or decayed teeth. They use a combination of silver, tin, copper, and elemental mercury to fill in cavities. Because of their strength and durability, silver fillings are ideal for repairing the back teeth (molars). They can withstand chewing forces for many years, allowing you to comfortably resume normal function again.
Silver fillings have been successfully used in dentistry for over 150 years and are FDA-approved for patients over the age of ten.
What Are Tooth-colored Fillings?
This type of filling is known as white or composite filling because it contains no metal. Tooth-colored fillings are the ideal way to repair your front teeth or other teeth that are visible when you smile. The filling material is made from a metal-free composite resin and can be shaded to match the natural color of your surrounding tooth. The composite resin chemically bonds to the surface of your teeth for a strong restoration, meaning less of your natural tooth needs to be removed to place the filling.
Tooth-colored fillings are FDA-approved and recommended for patients aged six and older. They are recommended for young children to keep their smiles white and metal-free.
How Long Do Fillings Last?
The lifespan of your filling depends on the type of restoration you receive, as well as how well you maintain your oral health. Silver fillings can last 10-15 years before they must be repaired or replaced, while tooth-colored aren’t quite as durable. Tooth-colored fillings can last 7-10 years but may last up to 15 with good at-home care. If you experience an issue with your filling, call our office to schedule an appointment.
How Can I Prevent Cavities??
While our team loves to see you, we believe that the best type of filling is no filling at all! Here are some simple ways to prevent cavities and keep your teeth healthy for many years to come:
- Brush your teeth twice a day
- Floss your teeth daily
- Use a fluoride toothpaste
- Keep up with your scheduled checkups and cleanings
Do You Accept Walk-ins and Emergency Appointments?
Yes, Dental Town welcomes walk-ins! Our team will see you as soon as scheduling permits to provide you with quality care. We also offer emergency appointments to treat injuries, accidents, and other dental conditions. No matter your dental needs, our Chicagoland practice is here to serve!
Do You Accept Insurance?
Dental Town is in-network with many dental insurance providers. Our team also accepts most PPO plans, major credit cards and offer payment plans. For your convenience, we offer affordable financing options with CareCredit.