Patient Reviews
Friendly, knowledgeable, and caring staff. They made me feel at ease as a new patient. I'm glad I found a very good dentist office.
Great dental services! Everyone in the practice is friendly and professional and attentive to the patients needs and concerns.
Cares about patients. The staff is very helpful and accommodating. Scheduling was easy. The practice is outstanding and deserves 10 stars!
Made me comfortable knowing I had a lot of anxiety Everything was explained really thoroughly which made me feel even more at ease
Dentist and dental tech are very kind and professional. Work is done gently . Great experience.
Staff is wonderful, Alex does a great job cleaning my teeth 😁 I'm not one that enjoys the dentist but Bayview makes me feel at ease. Thank you!!
First visit. Everyone was so nice and made me comfortable knowing I had a lot of anxiety Everything was explained really thoroughly which made me feel even more at ease.
Excellent customer service. Extremely kind, courteous and caring about their patients. They do an awesome job communicating the treatment and patient out of pocket cost for a procedure.
Great dentist. Thorough, explained everything, reasonable pricing, warm and friendly staff. So happy I found you.
Dental Fillings
Enjoy a More Natural Smile with Composite Dental Fillings
Tooth decay can weaken a tooth’s structure and create cavities that require treatment. Dental fillings repair cavities while retaining as much healthy tooth structure as possible. At Riverdale Dental, we use tooth-colored fillings and high-quality restorative materials to restore teeth affected by decay while maintaining a natural-looking smile.
Our approach to restorative dentistry focuses on preserving your teeth’s health and function. Depending on the extent of the damage, your dentist can recommend the filling material and treatment approach that best fits your needs.
What are Dental Fillings
A dental filling is a restoration used to replace tooth structure that has been damaged or removed because of tooth decay. During treatment, the dentist cleans away decayed tissue and fills the resulting space with a restorative material. This strengthens the treated area and helps keep further decay from developing in the same location.
There are several types of dental fillings and restorative materials available. Composite fillings, dental amalgam, gold fillings, and indirect restorations are among the options a dentist may consider depending on the location and extent of the damage.
What are composite resin fillings and restorations?
Composite resin is a tooth colored material made from a resin composite reinforced with fine glass particles. Because the material can be closely matched to the shade of the surrounding teeth, composite fillings can provide a discreet alternative to silver colored restorations.
One advantage of composite fillings is that they can often be placed while preserving more of the natural tooth structure. They can repair cavities in both front and back teeth, depending on the location and size of the restoration.
Benefits of composite resin restorations include:
- Natural-looking, tooth colored appearance
- Ability to closely match the surrounding teeth
- Conservative preparation that can preserve healthy tooth structure
- A versatile option for repairing smaller areas of decay
Composite resin is a common material used for direct fillings. During the dental filling procedure, the dentist places the material into the prepared tooth, shapes it, and hardens it with a dental curing light.
What About Metal or Amalgam Fillings?
Amalgam fillings, sometimes called silver fillings, are made from a combination of metals. Dental amalgam traditionally contains mercury along with metals such as silver, tin, and copper. Gold fillings are another type of restorative material that may be used in certain circumstances.
The choice between amalgam fillings, composite fillings, or another restoration depends on several factors, including the cavity’s location, the amount of tooth structure remaining, and the patient’s treatment needs. Your dentist can explain the different types of dental restorations and help you understand your available options.
What are the Benefits of Dental Fillings?
Dental fillings allow a dentist to repair cavities before decay causes more extensive damage. Removing decayed tissue and replacing it with filling material can help restore the tooth’s normal shape and function while protecting the remaining structure. Timely treatment matters because untreated cavities can keep growing. As decay progresses, it can reach deeper layers of the tooth and potentially lead to pain, infection, more extensive restorative treatments, or even tooth loss.
Treating a cavity while the damage is limited may allow the dentist to preserve more of the natural tooth. Tooth colored fillings also provide an aesthetic advantage. Composite resin can be customized to blend with the surrounding enamel, making the restoration less noticeable when you smile. This can be particularly beneficial when repairing cavities on visible front teeth.
What is the Dental Fillings Procedure Like
The exact steps of a dental filling procedure vary depending on the tooth being treated and the extent of the decay. Your dentist will first examine the tooth and determine how much damaged or decayed tissue to remove. Local anesthesia may be used to keep you comfortable throughout the procedure.
After preparing the area, the dentist uses specialized instruments to remove the decay and clean the affected portion of the tooth. For a direct filling, the dentist places the filling material into the prepared space. The dentist applies and shapes composite resin to recreate the tooth’s natural contours. The dentist then uses a dental curing light to harden the composite material. The dentist checks the restoration against your bite and makes any necessary adjustments so the filling feels comfortable and functions naturally.
Some restorations are classified as indirect fillings. Rather than being shaped entirely inside the mouth, these restorations are fabricated outside the mouth, often with assistance from a dental laboratory and dental technician. Indirect fillings require more than one step and may involve two office visits. Inlays and onlays are common indirect restorations and may be considered when a tooth has too much damage for a traditional filling but not enough damage to require a crown.
Recovery from Dental Fillings Surgery/Treatment
Most patients can resume their normal activities after a dental filling. If local anesthesia was used, your mouth may remain numb for several hours. Avoid chewing until normal sensation returns to reduce the chance of accidentally biting your cheek, tongue, or lip.
Some temporary sensitivity is possible after treatment, particularly when eating or drinking something hot or cold. The treated tooth should generally settle as you adjust to the new restoration. If you experience persistent pain, significant sensitivity, rough edges, or a bite that does not feel normal, contact your dentist for an evaluation.
Maintaining good oral hygiene is also important after receiving tooth fillings. Brush with fluoride toothpaste, floss regularly, and keep routine dental appointments to help protect your teeth from further decay.
Candidates for Dental Fillings
Dental fillings may be appropriate for patients with cavities or localized areas of tooth decay. Your dentist will evaluate the affected tooth to determine whether a filling can restore it adequately. The amount of remaining tooth structure, the cavity’s location, and the extent of the decay all factor into the treatment recommendation.
Patients with early or moderate decay may be able to repair cavities with a direct composite filling. When a tooth has more extensive damage, an indirect filling, onlay, or crown may provide greater support. If decay has reached the inner portion of the tooth or caused an infection, other dental treatments may be necessary.
Why Choose Riverdale Dental for Dental Fillings?
Riverdale Dental provides restorative treatments designed to repair damaged teeth while preserving as much healthy tooth structure as possible. Our practice uses tooth colored composite fillings and other high-quality restorative materials based on each patient’s individual needs.
From a small cavity to a more involved restoration, your dentist will evaluate the tooth’s condition and explain the available treatment options. Our goal is to provide comfortable, precise care that helps restore the health, function, and appearance of your teeth.
Schedule a Consultation
If you have a cavity, tooth sensitivity, or another concern related to tooth decay, timely treatment can help prevent the problem from becoming more extensive. Contact Riverdale Dental to schedule an appointment and discuss whether tooth colored fillings or another restorative treatment may be right for you.
Restore your teeth with the reliable solution.
See how our team at Riverdale Dental can help!