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DENTAL FILLINGS

IN WARREN, NJ

Restoring Teeth With Dental Fillings

When dental decay compromises a tooth's structural integrity, a filling gets placed to rebuild its natural form and restore its strength and function. Because tooth decay, also known as dental caries, remains one of the most prevalent chronic diseases affecting both children and adults worldwide, procedures to place fillings are routinely performed each and every day.

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At the office of The Star Dental Group in Warren, we provide precise and gentle treatment and maintain a position at the forefront of advances in care to provide patients with the highest quality of aesthetically pleasing and durable dental fillings.

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The History Of Dental Fillings

According to archaeological findings, for as long as dental problems have existed, there have been efforts to provide emergency and restorative care. In fact, attempts to place dental fillings have been found in the skeletal remains of people who lived around the year 8000 BC. However, it wasn't until thousands and thousands of years later, in the 19th century, that a variety of metal fillings, including dental amalgam, appeared on the scene. Although gold achieved status as a popular restorative material, it was soon apparent that amalgam fillings, consisting of a mixture of mercury and an alloy composed of silver, tin, and copper, offered a less expensive, durable, and simpler alternative.

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Until recent decades, the vast majority of dental fillings remained silver-colored, amalgam restorations. However, as dentistry has evolved in the last 50 years, new filling materials have been developed. While amalgam fillings are long-lasting and durable, today's newer materials offer the benefits of being mercury-free, metal-free, and much more aesthetic. These "tooth-colored or white fillings" invisibly restore the form and function of the involved tooth, while seamlessly blending in with the remaining tooth structure and the entire smile.

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Our Commitment To Restoring Oral Health And Beautiful Smiles

At The Star Dental Group, we tailor treatment to address specific dental needs and expectations of care. As with all the services our practice provides, we'll explain all your options in care, including the type of dental filling materials we offer to restore your tooth. Our goals are to gently remove the dental decay and the damaged tooth structure and then rebuild your tooth's form and function while providing you healthy, durable, long-lasting, and cosmetically pleasing results.

tooth colored filling dentist in Warren, NJ

THE DIFFERENT TYPES

OF DENTAL FILLINGS

Dentist in Warren, NJ

While traditional dental materials like gold and amalgam have been in use for over a century, recent advances in dental technology have made a more expansive and improved selection of restorative choices 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:

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Composite Fillings

Composite fillings, which are frequently referred to as either "tooth-colored fillings" or "white fillings," consist of a combination of biocompatible resins and finely ground, glass-like filler materials that become strong and durable when set. Available in a complete range of natural-looking shades, composite fillings offer a cosmetically pleasing alternative to traditional "silver" fillings. Composite resins are also used in dental bonding procedures to improve a tooth's color or shape, mask defects, or close minor gaps between teeth.

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Composite fillings adhere to natural tooth structure through a bonding process, which also serves to seal and strengthen the tooth. Beyond providing a close match to your natural tooth color, a composite filling does not require removing of as much tooth structure for placement, nor are they subject to expansion or contraction with temperature changes as is the case with dental amalgams. However, composite restorations can be more vulnerable to wear and staining and may require replacement down the road.

 

Silver Fillings (Amalgam)

For many years, amalgam fillings represented the standard of care for restoring decayed teeth. While they don't offer the cosmetic appeal of other types of filling materials, amalgam restorations are strong, durable, and less likely than some other types of fillings to break or wear down.

 

Glass Ionomers

Another type of white filling material, glass ionomer cements bond to the tooth's surface to provide a tight seal between the tooth and surrounding oral environment. Besides offering a natural-looking restoration, glass ionomer cements slowly release fluoride to strengthen and help protect the involved tooth 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

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 get placed immediately after the tooth is prepared, "indirect" fillings such as inlays or onlays get fabricated outside of the mouth before insertion and cementation or bonding.

 

Gold Fillings

Far less common these days and more expensive than any of the 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.

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HOW ARE CAVITIES TREATED

Dentist in Warren, NJ

Once our office has a chance to assess your smile, we'll advise you of 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 those cavities and place the fillings or restorations that are needed.

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At the office of The Star Dental Group, 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 you have questions and concerns and will keep you well informed every step of the way.

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Treating a cavity involves the precise and gentle removal of decayed and damaged tooth structure and 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.

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In most cases, this visit is performed under local anesthesia. As the work gets performed, your tooth is completely numb, and you should not feel any discomfort. A dental drill, dental laser, or air abrasion technology can be used to remove decay. Once the cavity gets excavated, and healthy tooth structure remains, it's time to place the filling. The type of dental filling material being used determines the manner of placement. Composite fillings, glass ionomer cements, and amalgam fillings are typically placed right away. However, in the case of an extensive cavity, a tiny palliative dressing and a temporary filling may be placed. Whatever type of filling is used, our office will check the fit, do any necessary polishing, and meticulously adjust the bite to ensure your optimal comfort and function.

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For patients who are anxious about dental work, you can rest assured the office of The Star Dental Group  is mindful of your needs. As skilled and experienced providers of care, we pride ourselves on providing 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 options in dental sedation.

What Do I Need To Know: 

Following The Placement Of My New Filling

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Immediately after the placement of a new filling, it's essential to keep the following in mind:

  • Until the anesthesia wears off
    Immediately following your dental visit, you may experience a period of lingering numbness. Normal sensation typically returns within an hour or two. However, until the anesthetic has completely worn off, it's essential to protect yourself from unintentionally biting or injuring your lips, cheeks, gums, or tongue. Be mindful of chewing, drinking hot beverages, or smoking.

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  • Now that your tooth has been restored and rebuilt, it may feel slightly different
    While we take the utmost care to polish your new filling and make sure the bite is correct, on rare occasions, a patient may feel additional minor smoothing or further bite adjustment is required.

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  • You may experience short-term sensitivity
    It's perfectly normal for a tooth to feel a little sensitive following the placement of a filling. You may experience a twinge when eating cold or hot foods and beverages. This sensitivity should subside by itself within a few days. If your sensitivity worsens, you experience ongoing pain or develop any other symptoms; please contact our office.

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  • Caring for your new restoration
    Our office uses the latest generations of strong and durable filling materials. With proper oral hygiene and routine care, your new filling should last for many years to come. However, in cases of extensive tooth decay or injury to the underlying tooth, even the best restoration may need to be replaced, or further dental work may be needed down the road.

Beautiful Smile dentist in Warren, NJ

DENTAL FILLINGS

BEFORE & AFTER

Dentist in Warren, NJ

Bonded, white fillings are very stong and very beautiful.

Female white toothy smile dentist in Warren, NJ

DENTAL FILLINGS FAQs

Dentist in Warren, NJ
  • What is a dental emergency?
    Toothaches: Pain is your body's way of signaling that something is not quite right and though there are many reasons for oral pain, one of the most common complaints and reasons for seeking urgent dental care is a toothache. Whether you simply need a dental filling, a crown, or require a root canal procedure to save your tooth, we'll alleviate your discomfort and restore the look and function of the involved tooth. Dental Trauma: Dental trauma can result in a defect as minor as a small chip in tooth enamel to a more extensive and painful crack or fracture. With sufficient force, a tooth can even be displaced or completely knocked out of its socket. With prompt emergency care, many injured teeth can be restored and saved. Wisdom Teeth: The last teeth in your mouth to develop, wisdom teeth often do not have enough room to fully erupt or may be positioned in the wrong direction. These issues can affect your dental health as well as overall well-being. Our office provides skilled care to address the complications caused by problematic wisdom teeth. Broken or Lost Dental Appliances: A broken or lost dental prosthesis or restoration can cause embarrassing gaps in your smile as well as compromise your ability to eat and speak with ease. If you've lost or broken a dental filling, denture, crown, or other dental appliance, you can rely on our office to perform a prompt repair or provide a durable and cosmetically pleasing replacement as quickly as possible.
  • How long do I have to wait for an appointment?
    If you are suffering from a toothache or have sustained a dental injury, it is important to visit the dentist as soon as possible before more serious complications arise. Whether your dental emergency is painful, if it affects the appearance of your smile, or if you suspect that an infection is present, our office will make every effort to see you as promptly as possible for care. At The Star Dental Group, we treat your dental emergency as our top priority. Our caring team will respond to your emergency call right away, making sure you get the gentle, state-of-the-art care you need without delay. As your trusted emergency dentist in Warren, we provide the highest quality of care to mitigate the stress, anxiety, and discomfort of dental problems. Our dedicated team will help you start feeling better as soon as we receive your emergency call.
  • Do I need to go to the emergency room or hospital
    At The Star Dental Group, we provide skilled and experienced care to effectively resolve a broad range of dental emergencies, restoring a patient's oral health while protecting their overall wellbeing. However, even so, specific dental emergencies pose significant threats to one's health. These situations require immediate, emergency room care. Serious and potentially life-threatening dental emergencies include significant oral and facial trauma such as jaw fractures, deep wounds or lacerations to the face and mouth, an abscess or infection that causes widespread facial or submandibular swelling, or affects breathing and swallowing.
  • How much does emergency dental treatment cost?
    At The Star Dental Group, we provide prompt, skilled, and experienced care to address dental emergencies. We understand that finances are always a concern and do our best to provide options in care that are both affordable and respect your budget. Once we've had the opportunity to examine your smile, we can give you a clear picture of any existing dental issues, along with a quote for what the cost of treatment will be. The cost of care all depends upon the extent and complexity of issues affecting the health or appearance of your smile and the types of procedures that are required. To help alleviate any additional stress or delay, you can count on our staff to work with you to optimize coverage for your dental care and to minimize your out-of-pocket expenses. For patients without insurance, we strive to make things easier as well! We invite you to visit our financial information page or speak to an expert in our business office.
  • Why choose The Star Dental Group for your dental emergency?
    Dental emergencies are often painful and debilitating experiences. For this reason it's important to have an emergency dentist in Warren, who welcomes patients with urgent dental needs while providing the prompt care required to restore oral health. Here are just some of the reasons why so many patients choose our office for emergency dental care and to meet their family's dental needs: Skilled and compassionate care for patients of all ages Ultra-modern office designed with patient comfort in mind Professional team experienced in all facets of care State-of-the-art diagnostic and treatment technology Precise and gentle treatment using leading-edge systems of care Careful attention paid to patient input and treatment expectations Detailed explanations of treatment options and every step in care Provision of a broad range of dental services and emergency procedures Recognizes the specific needs of each patient and the unique requirements of every smile Provide patients with the education and tools to establish a strong foundation for optimal oral health We're dedicated to helping patients enjoy good oral health and beautiful smiles. We look forward to helping you keep your smile in tip-top condition. You can rest assured that our highly skilled office team will provide you the highest quality of state-of-the-art dental care and have you smiling again in no time! To make an appointment or for more information on our office and the many state-of-the-art services we provide, give us a call today.
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