Dental Fillings in Brooklyn, NY

A filling is a restorative dental treatment that involves the dentist removing tooth decay from the surface of the tooth and then filling the cavity with a material such as composite resin, silver amalgam, gold, or dental-grade engineered porcelain material. The dentist will also use adhesives and a curing light to bond the material to the tooth and harden it in place.

Popular Filling Materials

Composite Resin Material

A composite resin is a mixture of plastic and glass particles suspended in a resin medium that mimics the appearance of natural enamel. The resin is applied directly to the surface of the tooth in layers and then cured with ultraviolet light. Once hardened, the filling will be undetectable and can be shaped and polished to match the patient’s natural smile.

Silver Amalgam Material

Silver amalgam is an alloy made from a combination of mercury, tin, zinc, and copper. This is an extremely strong material and can last for many years. However, the dark color makes many patients self-conscious about smiling or speaking in public.

Gold Material

Gold fillings can be made of 50% gold and 50% other metals, such as copper, palladium, or nickel alloys. These restorations last longer than ceramic materials but are also more expensive and require multiple visits for placement.

Porcelain Material

For many years, dentists commonly used porcelain-fused-to-metal materials when placing fillings. Today, however, most dentists prefer the placement of all-porcelain fillings because of the appearance of natural teeth and the reduced risk of fracturing the tooth over time. All-ceramic restorations also don’t require the removal of as much healthy tooth structure to place as metal crowns do.

Procedure for Placing Fillings

A filling is recommended when decay affects a large portion of the tooth or a tooth is cracked, and it cannot be fixed with a regular filling. The dentist will first administer local anesthesia to numb the tooth so you will not feel any discomfort during the procedure. Then, the dentist will remove the decayed portion of the tooth using a special tool called a handpiece. Then, we will apply the filling material to the cavity. Afterward, we will shape it, so it matches the natural contour and appearance of the tooth. Finally, we will polish the material so it will blend in with the rest of your smile. The procedure can be completed in one office visit, although multiple appointments may be necessary for more complex cases.

To find out more about the dental services offered at our dental practice, call (718)-375-9257 or schedule an online consultation. You can also visit us at 3310 Nostrand Ave Suite L3, Brooklyn, NY, 11229.