Dental Fillings

Dental Fillings

Dental fillings are one of the most common and effective ways to repair teeth damaged by cavities or minor fractures. At Vinciguerra & Mathew Dentistry, we use durable, tooth-colored materials that blend naturally with your smile while restoring strength and function. Our goal is to stop decay, protect your teeth from further damage, and help you maintain a healthy, confident smile.

Personalized family dental treatment

Frequently Asked Questions About Dental Fillings

There are a few different types of materials that can be used to fill a cavity in a tooth. A composite dental filling is one of the most common types of tooth-colored fillings available.

Composite fillings come in a variety of shades in order to match different-colored teeth. The most recent research suggests that composite fillings can last just as long as other kinds of fillings, though this may not be true of older fillings.

So what’s the difference between a composite and an amalgam (silver) filling? Composite fillings and silver fillings have the same life expectancy.

Composite fillings look more natural. They tend to seal the tooth better initially, but then tend to wear out over time. Silver fillings tend to not seal the tooth as well at first, but then form a better seal over time. Both types of fillings may cause tooth sensitivity for a time immediately following placement of the dental filling. This sensitivity may last for days or even months.

Composite fillings are usually a little bit more expensive than silver fillings because they are much more difficult to place and require a dentist who is more skilled. However, composite fillings are usually more conservative in that they often require the removal of much less tooth structure in order to do a good job restoring the tooth.

Composite fillings and restorations can be used in many ways to improve both the health and appearance of your smile. They are ideal for filling cavities in front teeth or in back teeth where appearance matters, and many patients choose them as a mercury-free alternative to silver fillings. Beyond repairing decay, composites can restore chipped teeth, close gaps, reshape worn teeth, and even cover the front surface of a tooth to create a smoother, whiter, and more natural-looking result.

Composite fillings are usually placed in a single appointment. Composite fillings usually are not as deep as silver fillings and, therefore, you may not even need to be numb for some fillings! However, in most cases, you will be numb and the dentist will remove any decayed or infected tooth structure and your tooth will be restored with a composite dental filling. You can eat with a composite filling immediately after your dental appointment.

We welcome patients from New Hyde Park, and adjacent locations.