Natural-Looking Dental Fillings in Rochester, NY for Strong, Healthy Teeth

What are tooth-colored fillings and when do I need one?

Tooth-colored fillings, sometimes also called composite fillings, are made from a material that is a blend of resin and fine glass particles. The material mixture can be matched exactly to the natural shade of your teeth, making it blend naturally with your smile. Functionally, they restore a damaged tooth's structure, after the decay has been removed, bringing back the ability to properly bite and chew food. Aesthetically, they restore the original tooth shape and color, bringing back your sparkling smile. They are a popular option for both front and back teeth having small to moderate cavities. They are recommended in many cases, such as a small or moderate cavity, a small chip or crack, or an existing filling that is damaged or worn or is of amalgam material, which can be toxic.

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Possible signs that a tooth might need professional attention include sensitivity to either cold, hot or sweet foods, discomfort when chewing, a rough edge, or food getting repeatedly trapped in a certain spot. Having said that, keep in mind that sometimes cavities do not cause noticeable symptoms and may be discovered only during your regular hygiene exam. Whether a filling is the right treatment when tooth decay is discovered depends on a number of factors, such as the size and location of the damage and how much healthy tooth structure remains. More extensive damage may require a different type of restoration, such as a crown. In some very advanced stages of decay a tooth may be beyond repair and may require an extraction, followed by a restoration, such as a dental implant or a dental bridge.

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How long do tooth-colored fillings last?

There are no expiration dates on composite dental fillings. We only work with modern, state-of-the-art materials that are not only biocompatible and non-toxic, but are also extremely strong and durable. The bonding process used ensures positive long-term clinical outcomes. However, every filling will in fact have a life-span and it will very much depend on the size and location of the filling, the mechanical stress it sustains over time, how you care for your teeth and how well you practice dental hygiene, whether you grind or clench teeth (in which case we have solutions for you), and other factors. Practically speaking, from our many years of experience, most dental composite fillings last years and decades.

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What is the process of getting tooth-colored filling? Walk me through it, step by step.

It starts with proper diagnosis. Usually, tooth decay is discovered by visual observation during the hygiene exam or other dental work being done and corroborated by X-Ray imaging or discovered through X-Ray imaging itself in cases where it's not visible or symptomatic. Once we diagnose the damage, we will assess whether given the factors we discussed above a composite filling would in fact be the most clinically rational approach.

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We always follow our holistic, minimally invasive philosophy and analyze your case from all of the different angles to ensure you receive the most optimal, clinically sound and cost effective treatment. We also discuss every option with you and let you be in the driver's seat when making a decision. If you accept the treatment plan, we will begin treatment. We will remove any decay, prepare the tooth, prepare and bond the composite material into place, shape and finally polish it for a comfortable bite and natural appearance. And of course, all of our procedures, big and small, are accompanied by all the necessary local anesthesia and sedation treatments you may need to keep you pain-free, comfortable and relaxed.

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Are tooth-colored fillings as durable as metal fillings?

Tooth-colored composite fillings used to have a shorter lifespan than comparable metal fillings, especially in larger cavities. However, the materials science and technology have come a long way in recent years. The composite materials of today are extremely durable and versatile and accommodate a variety of clinical scenarios. A lot of it also depends on the expert placement process itself to ensure proper bonding and contouring. Both Drs. Anna Belous and Adriana Palacio are expert restorative dentists that have done thousands of these procedures over the years. In cases where a composite filling may be compromised due to its location or needed shape, the doctors will offer you alternative solutions that may be more durable. We will carefully explain to you the pros and cons of every option to help you make the most educated decision.

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Is getting a dental filling painful?

Our patients' comfort is of utmost importance to us. Whether you need a small filling or a large one, we take our patients' comfort seriously and offer all of our stress-reducing amenities, anesthesia and sedation options to everyone. Just because you need a tiny composite filling does not mean that we would spend any less time making you relaxed and at ease. The comfort we provide is based on your needs, not based on the complexity or time duration of the procedure.

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Most dental fillings are not painful because of how local anesthetic works. You will feel numbness and may notice pressure, movement or vibration, but you should not feel sharp pain. If you do, we can always adjust the amount of anesthetic you receive. If you continue to feel anxious, we can also adjust the amount of sedation you receive. After the numbness wears off, some temporary gum soreness or sensitivity to cold, hot or pressure may occur because removing decay and placing the filling may irritate the tissue inside or around the tooth. The discomfort is generally mild and improves quickly, usually within a few hours and is completely gone within a couple of days. It may take a few more days to recover fully from deeper cavities, extending closer to the tooth's pulp - the tissue that contains nerves and blood vessels.

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Sometimes an additional adjustment of the shape of your filling may be needed because we adjust and polish the surface of your tooth, at least in part, based on your feedback during the procedure and how you feel the bite may differ when you are under the numbness from after it wears off. However, we monitor our patients closely and we ask that you reach out to us promptly if you experience pain, swelling or fever, as it may indicate a complication that may require our prompt attention.

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Can old metal fillings or composite fillings be replaced? When and why?

They can and they should. Older dental amalgam, aka silver, aka metal fillings contain mercury mixed with other metals, such as silver, tin and copper, and sometimes zinc. The term "silver fillings" describes their appearance and does not mean they are made entirely from silver. Amalgam can release mercury vapor and the FDA recommends avoiding them whenever possible. Mercury can be particularly harmful to certain high-risk groups, including people that are pregnant or planning pregnancy or breastfeeding, children, people with kidney issues, certain neurological conditions, people with allergic reactions or immunocompromised people.

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Although the FDA does not explicitly recommend removing these in individuals with no risk factors because of the additional mercury exposure during the removal process, this is where Drs. Anna Belous and Adriana Palacio come in. Both doctors are IAOMT SMART certified in safely removing amalgam fillings without any adverse impact to patients' or the doctors' safety. This process follows a strict safety protocol and there are very few professional that specialize in this procedure in the Rochester, NY area. Having these services available to you should prompt you to consider removing your amalgam fillings, regardless of your individual risk factors, as soon as possible and replacing them with non-toxic, biocompatible composite material.

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Are dental fillings covered by insurance? Will I be able to afford dental fillings?

Every insurance is different, but most insurances do cover dental fillings in full or in part, as they are commonly classified as basic restorative care, with many plans paying a percentage of, rather than the entire fee. Some plans have similar coverage for both front and back teeth, while others may only cover composite fillings for front teeth, while applying "alternate benefits" to back teeth. This means that your back teeth may be covered at cost of amalgam fillings, requiring you to personally cover the rest. This may be an insurance payment rule and should not be interpreted as indication that amalgam fillings are more appropriate health-wise. They are certainly not.

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So, because every insurance is different and nuanced, we encourage you to talk to our amazing patient experience team, who will be happy to assist you with financially planning your treatment. We accept a broad range of insurances and can submit them to quickly verify your eligibility at the time of treatment planning, so that there are no surprises. We also follow our "access for all" philosophy that is rooted in believing that quality dental care should be available to everyone. That is why we go beyond insurance coverage and are often able to accommodate various payment plans with no and low-interest financing, for those that qualify.

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