Dental Fillings Manhattan NYC
When Are Dental Fillings Necessary?
When food particles and plaque remain on your teeth due to improper brushing or a diet that includes sticky foods, bacteria accumulate. These bacteria release acids which can dissolve the enamel (outer layer of the tooth), if not cleaned away. The enamel will darken gradually depending on how much it has dissolved. If this decay is allowed to continue, that portion of the tooth will eventually chip or break away and form a cavity (a hole in your tooth’s enamel). A cavity can take about 3 years to go from early decay beginning on the tooth surface to a large cavity that reaches down into the nerve.
Dental fillings are a treatment to repair small holes in teeth caused, most often, by cavities. Your dentist will remove the decaying tissue, clean the area, and replace the missing tissue with a dental filling material.
Do You Need Dental Fillings?
Signs That You May Need a Filling:
- Sensitivity to hot and cold
- Pain when you bite down on certain teeth
- General tooth pain
- Fracture
- Vertical lines in teeth enamel
- Wear and tear
- Dark spots
- Holes
- Rough, Broken or Chipped Tooth
- Food getting repeatedly stuck between certain teeth
- Floss often ripping between certain teeth
- Lost or broken tooth filling
- An Xray showing tooth decay
Dental Filling Treatment: What Can I Expect?
If a cavity is detected and treated before it gets too close to the root of the tooth, it is generally a simple and straightforward procedure in our Manhattan dental office. Your filling appointment will likely take about an hour, during which time the dentist will take scans, discuss the procedure, and place the filling. Before placing the filling, your dentist will numb the area around your teeth and gums with local anesthesia to ensure the procedure is entirely painless.
You may opt to have Laughing Gas at our office if you’re feeling particularly nervous for your dental care.
Refrain from chewing food for the next few hours until the numbing effects of the local anesthesia completely wear off.
Dental Filling Materials
Dental fillings are made from a few types of materials. For years, gold fillings were the standard material used by dentists, but better materials have replaced gold that feature a natural aesthetic over the years. Today, the most common dental fillings are composite resin.
Composite Resin Fillings
Composite resin fillings are the most popular because they feature the most natural tooth-like appearance and color. The material is a mixture of powdered glass and acrylic resin that dentists use to make veneers, inlays, crowns, and more. The color of the composite material is custom matched to each patient’s teeth.
Metal Amalgam Fillings
Metal amalgam dental fillings are common in dentistry because they are affordable and reliable. The material combines liquid mercury and a metal powder of tin, copper, and silver. When the powder and liquid mercury are mixed, they form a putty ideal for filling teeth.
Dental Fillings Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Are Dental Fillings Safe?
- How Long Do Dental Fillings Last?
- Are Dental Fillings Painful?
- What are The Types of Dental Fillings?
- Which Dental Filling Is Best?
Are Dental Fillings Safe?
All filling materials must be approved by the FDA in order to be used to restore your teeth. So, yes, dental fillings are safe. That said, there is always a risk of a sensitivity to any product used in the process. Any concerns or known sensitivities should be discussed with your dentist before the procedure to ensure the best choice possible is made for your specific situation.
How Long Do Dental Fillings Last?
Different fillings have various lifespans, and every patient’s oral habits affect how long their dental fillings last. On average, dental fillings last around ten years with good oral care. For the best results, brush twice and floss once a day, and visit our office for a check-up at least every six months.
Are Dental Fillings Painful?
No, you will not feel any pain during your dental filling or following the procedure. Cavities cause pain, and you may arrive at our office in pain. But as soon as we administer anesthesia, you will not feel any physical sensation on the filling site.
What Are The Types of Dental Fillings?
Though composite resin and metal amalgam are the most common, there are five basic types of dental fillings:
- Composite resin
- Metal amalgam
- Cast gold
- Dental ceramics
- Glass ionomer
Which Dental Filling Is Best?
Although different materials can be used to fill cavities in the teeth, some types of fillings are better suited for certain conditions. Your dentist is the best person to help you determine the material that is most suited for your needs, taking into consideration your budget and your current dental health. When trying to decide which type of filling is best suited for you, you need to factor in the location of the cavity in your mouth, severity of decay, cost, and your insurance coverage.
Gold dental fillings are strong and can last a lifetime, which is why they are a classic material. Composite resin and metal amalgam fillings have the most popular and reliable record, but they are not the only choices. Call our office to schedule your dental consultation and learn more about getting dental fillings in Manhattan.
Dental Filling Reviews Manhattan
Herald Square Dental
Patient Review By Lorrie L
I am so happy I started coming here for my dental work. I used their introductory offer for cleaning, etc.. and also wanted my front tooth filled correctly due to my previous dentist botching it up. I had Dr. Kirshenbaum and I am so happy I did. She did a perfect job. I needed to go back and have a cavity worked on and again she was stellar. I recommend this dental office and Dr. Kirshenbaum for dental work you require.
- Lorrie L
Patient Review By Dawn V
I have had a gamut of treatments & care over the years. I was impressed from the front office ladies and checkin, to the assistants for Dr Xu and Dr. Pash, the doctors themselves;their attentiveness and suggestions. They both had great hands which is critical in my assessment. Even after the local wore off,my mouth felt well treated. The billing dept. worked with me which is very appreciated. Yes, I would recommend this office, the team that worked so well together. Going to the dentist is not my favorite thing to do but the whole experience led to this review and the deserved praise.
- Dawn V
Patient Review By Tiger L
Dr. Yam is very professional and friendly. Highly recommend to anyone who needs dental work.
- Tiger L