Dental Fillings in Loves Park IL
Dental fillings are protective restorations used to fill small holes in teeth that are from decay or a fracture. Decay is the result of bacterial infections. Bacteria remain on your teeth when not brushed or flossed correctly, but also from a poor diet, medications, lifestyle habits, medical conditions, drug use, and more. Dental fillings are necessary to fill the holes in your teeth to protect the sensitive pulp and to prevent further damage.
At Riverside Dental Center, we value our patient relationships, making it our priority to deliver gentle and compassionate care that you deserve from your dentist in Loves Park. We collectively focus on making you feel at ease by providing you exceptional care in a relaxed, convenient atmosphere. Our team goal is to develop lifelong relationships with our patients by combining the latest dental technology with a professional and caring staff. The result is a beautiful, healthy smile that will last a lifetime. We also emphasize preventive care and patient education because we want you to understand why it is so important to keep your mouth healthy and how to exercise daily hygiene to accomplish it. We are located at 2028 E. Riverside Blvd., Ste 210, Loves Park, IL, 61111. Please call us today at 815-877-4300 to schedule an appointment for an evaluation of the benefits of a dental filling for you and your smile.
There are several dental treatments that might be used to treat tooth decay. One of the oldest and most popular procedure is a dental filling. Cavities are common. According to the National Institutes of Health, over 90 percent of U.S. adults from the age of 20 to 64 have had a cavity. A dental filling helps prevent further decay and allows the tooth to function normally. Dental fillings have evolved with technology, and it is now easier and faster to have a cavity treated at Riverside Dental Center than ever before.
Looking for quality dental care? Don't wait any longer! Fill out our simple form or call our number to schedule an appointment with our skilled team of dental professionals today.
(815) 877-4300
How Do You Know You Might Have a Cavity?
If you visit your team at Riverside Dental Center for regular checkups, we will find any cavities early. The sooner a cavity is treated, the better the outcome, and the less invasive the treatment will be. Just another reason to maintaining regular dental checkups.
Here are some warning signs for a cavity:
- The tooth is sensitive to hot or cold.
- There is an increased sensitivity to sugary foods and drinks.
- You feel a continuous ache with the tooth.
- There is a small hole or pit in a tooth.
- The tooth appears stained.
We use a small mirror and an explorer to examine the surfaces of every tooth, and abnormalities will be closely checked and x-rayed. Your dental filling treatment will depend on the extent of damage and the type of filling chosen.
The Dental Filling Procedure
Dental fillings are a simple procedure. To begin, your team at Riverside Dental Center will examine your mouth and use dental instruments to confirm the cavity. We might take an x-ray of the tooth to identify the extent of the tooth decay.
We will administer a local anesthetic to numb the tooth and immediate area. This will prevent any discomfort. You may not need an anesthetic if the filling is very shallow.
After the tooth is numb, we will use a dental drill to remove the decay. We then sterilize and prepare the area for the filling and then simply fill the hole. Some types of dental fillings are cured, or hardened, with a blue wavelength light.
Finally, we polish the tooth and check to make sure that your bite remains correct.
The Different Types of Dental Fillings
There are several types of tooth fillings used today. These include traditional metal fillings, as well as composite fillings, which are growing in popularity.
- Silver-color fillings- These are metal amalgams, which is a combination of silver, mercury, tin, and copper. This type of material is more durable than tooth-color fillings and more affordable than others. Some concerns have been expressed about the mercury content, but there has been no clinical evidence found to support that amalgam fillings are harmful.
- White tooth-color fillings (composites)- These are a combination of quartz or glass particles and acrylic resin. This material is reasonably durable and costs just a little more than the metal amalgam.
- Gold fillings- This mixture of gold, copper, and other assorted metals is quite durable but more expensive. They also will not look natural. Gold fillings are created in a lab after we take an impression of the tooth.
- Glass ionomer fillings- These are tooth-colored also but not as strong as composites. They are made of acrylic and glass and contain fluoride which can help prevent cavities. These are often used for children.
- Porcelain fillings- This look natural and are expensive. They are fabricated in a lab after we take an impression of the tooth.
Meet Dr. Dimke
Dr. David Dimke is a compassionate and skilled dentist who has been serving patients for over 20 years. As the team dentist for the Rockford IceHogs, he understands the importance of precision and excellence in his work.
Meet Dr. Hermanson
Dr. Joshua Hermanson is a talented dentist who is passionate about helping his patients achieve their best smiles. He has a gentle and caring approach to dentistry and is committed to providing exceptional care to each patient.
Meet Dr. Zammuto
Meet Dr. Peter Zammuto, a passionate dentist who graduated from Midwestern Dental in 2015 and has been providing exceptional dental care for 8 years. He is passionate about helping his patients achieve optimal oral health.
Meet Dr. Konieczki
Dr. Corey Konieczki is a talented and experienced dentist who is passionate about helping his patients achieve healthy and beautiful smiles. He was born and raised in Rockford, Illinois and is proud to serve his local community.
Dental Fillings Aftercare
Once your dental filling is placed, you might continue to have a mild numbing sensation for a few hours. Once the numbness is gone, you can resume your daily activities. You will treat your filling just like the rest of your teeth. Continue to brush and floss properly to ensure your dental filling lasts a long time.
During your regular check-ups with Riverside Dental Center, we will always examine the integrity of the filling and ensure that no further decay has occurred.
If you have any discomfort with the tooth, talk with us right away. If your dental filling ever cracks or falls out, make an appointment to have it repaired or replaced to prevent any further damage to the tooth.
Superior Dentistry with A Personal Touch
The entire team at Riverside Dental Center believes that you should have sufficient information to make educated and informed decisions about your oral health, treatment options, and the choice of your dentist in Loves Park. You will find all this essential information on our website, including directions to our Loves Park office, service descriptions, patient forms, patient education resources, and more.
We are located at 2028 E. Riverside Blvd., Ste 210, Loves Park, IL, 61111. Please call us today at 815-877-4300 to schedule an appointment for your dream smile. Let us smile together.