Natural-Looking Tooth-Colored Fillings in Westbury, NY
Cavities are tooth holes created by untreated decay. If left untreated, they can grow deeper into the soft inner layer of the tooth, causing pain and sensitivity. They also badly affect the appearance of your smile. To help treat your dental cavities, Smallberg & Satornino, DDS, PLLC offers tooth-colored fillings in Westbury, NY.
What are Tooth-colored Fillings?
Fillings are used to remove decay and replace the affected tooth structure. They are called fillings because new material fills the hole that decays left. Our dental office treats dental cavities with tooth-colored fillings made from composite resin.
Tooth-colored fillings blend in better with the surrounding teeth and appear more natural than amalgam fillings, which are darker and more obvious to others. Composite fillings are made of ceramic and plastic components that chemically bond to teeth. Aside from cavities, fillings can also help repair broken or chipped teeth.
If caught early enough, cavities can be treated easily and painlessly. If not treated, decay can lead to tooth pain and/or infection, requiring root canal treatment or extraction.
Is Your Cavity Too Large for a Filling? Do You Need a Crown?
Some teeth may not be ideal candidates for fillings if too much structure has been lost to decay or if a large, worn filling needs to be replaced. If this is the case and the situation is not severe enough to require a crown, then an onlay can be placed.
An onlay looks like a large filling made in a dental lab. The doctor takes an impression of your tooth and sends it to a lab. You go home with a temporary material in your tooth and return for a second appointment to have your onlay cemented to the tooth.
Drs. Smallberg and Satornino often use Emax onlays, a highly aesthetic and durable material known for its natural appearance and strength. The advantage of the onlay is that it is stronger than a tooth-colored filling and preserves more tooth structure than a crown.
Benefits of Tooth-Colored Fillings
- Natural Appearance – Tooth-colored fillings match the color of your natural teeth. Because they blend naturally, no one can tell you had a cavity filled.
- Fast Treatment – Getting a tooth-colored filling is a quick and painless procedure. One or two cavities can be treated in less than an hour.
- Durability – Composite fillings can last more than ten years with good oral hygiene. Schedule a dental examination and cleaning every six months, floss daily, and brush your teeth twice daily.
- Conserve Tooth Structure – Composite fillings help preserve a larger portion of the tooth’s natural structure. The composite resin substance forms a chemical bond with the tooth’s surface like an adhesive.
- No Mercury – A tooth-colored filling is your best bet if you want to stay away from mercury, which can cause bad effects on your health when swallowed in certain amounts.
Restore Your Smile with Aesthetic Tooth-Colored Fillings in Westbury
Whether you have dental cavities, chipped teeth, or cracked teeth, tooth-colored fillings can help restore your oral health and brilliant smile. Smallberg & Satornino, DDS, PLLC, offers composite fillings in Westbury, NY, and you can contact us if you need more information about these dental restorations.
Do you have any problems with your teeth? Smallberg & Satornino, DDS, PLLC can help you regain your healthy, confident smile. Contact us today for personalized dental care to enhance your oral health and aesthetic appeal.
Frequently Asked Questions about Tooth-Colored Fillings
Does getting a tooth-colored filling hurt, and will I be numbed?
Most patients feel little to nothing. Your dentist typically numbs the area with local anesthetic before removing decay, so the procedure is comfortable, and small fillings sometimes need no numbing at all. You may feel mild pressure but not pain. At Smallberg & Satornino, DDS, PLLC, the filling is usually done in one short visit, call (516) 518-9835 to schedule.
Can I replace my old silver (amalgam) fillings with tooth-colored ones?
Yes. Many patients choose to swap dark amalgam fillings for natural-looking composite ones, either for appearance or to avoid mercury. Your dentist removes the old filling and bonds a matching tooth-colored replacement in its place. If the old filling is large or the tooth is worn, a dental crown or onlay may be recommended instead.
How soon can I eat after getting a tooth-colored filling?
Right away, in most cases. Composite fillings harden immediately under a curing light, so there is no waiting period like there is with older materials. If you were numbed, wait until the numbness wears off to avoid biting your cheek or tongue. Chewing on the other side for the first day and easing off very hard or sticky foods helps the filling settle.
Is it normal for a tooth to feel sensitive after a filling?
Yes. Mild sensitivity to hot, cold, or pressure is common for a few days to a couple of weeks after a filling and usually fades on its own. Deeper cavities may take a little longer to settle. If sensitivity is sharp, worsening, or lasts beyond a few weeks, contact Smallberg & Satornino, DDS, PLLC at (516) 518-9835 so the bite can be checked.
Can tooth-colored fillings stain or discolor over time?
They can, gradually. Composite resin resists stains well but can pick up color over years from coffee, tea, red wine, and tobacco, especially along the edges. Good brushing, flossing, and regular cleanings keep them looking fresh. Note that fillings do not lighten with teeth whitening, so whiten first if you are planning both.
Are tooth-colored fillings safe for children?
Yes. Composite fillings are a safe, mercury-free choice for kids and bond well to smaller teeth. They are a common way to treat childhood cavities while keeping the smile natural-looking. Pairing fillings with preventive care like fluoride treatment, sealants, and pediatric dental care helps prevent future decay.
Are composite fillings as strong as silver amalgam fillings?
For most cavities, yes. Modern composite resin bonds directly to the tooth and is very durable, often lasting well over ten years with good care. For very large cavities or heavy-pressure back teeth, your dentist may suggest an onlay or crown for extra strength. Untreated decay can eventually require a root canal, so early treatment is best.
Where can I get tooth-colored fillings in Westbury, NY?
Smallberg & Satornino, DDS, PLLC provides tooth-colored fillings in Westbury, NY, for children and adults. The office is at 330 Winthrop St, #1, Westbury, NY 11590, and you can reach the team at (516) 518-9835. Most fillings are completed in a single short visit, contact us or visit the Westbury office to book.
