dental fillings in East Amherst

Dental Fillings in East Amherst, NY

Do you have a cavity or a damaged tooth? Dental fillings can restore your tooth’s structure and function while blending in with your natural tooth! At The Ivory Dental Co., we can treat tooth decay with composite fillings. Contact us today to schedule an appointment with your dentist in East Amherst, NY.

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What Types Of Dental Fillings Do You Use?

We exclusively use composite resin tooth-colored fillings at The Ivory Dental Co. because our patients prefer them. Silver amalgam fillings contain mercury, require more removal of the tooth structure, and contain mercury.

Composite fillings offer the best aesthetics because we can match the composite resin to the shade of your teeth. We can preserve more of your natural tooth structure and they are mercury-free! No longer worry about feeling self-conscious when you smile because of fillings. They’ll blend right in with your natural teeth. 

Traditional amalgam fillings also take up to 24 hours to harden and require you to restrict your diet. Since composite hardens instantly with UV light, you can eat as soon as the anesthetic wears off, with no restrictions.

How Long Do Dental Fillings Last?

Composite fillings last for an average of 5-7 years, though there are many documented cases of these fillings lasting for longer than 10 years with proper care. These fillings wear away faster in the molars compared to the front teeth. 

To prolong their lifespan, you should avoid chewing hard and sticky foods like taffy, caramel, popcorn, ice, or nuts. Don’t use your teeth to open packages or chew on your nails. If you grind your teeth at night, wear a mouthguard. Over time, teeth grinding can wear down or even break your fillings.

Because dental fillings are temporary, they will need to be replaced over time. Due to wear and tear from chewing and grinding, the fillings undergo a lot of force and gradually wear down. This is why precaution and regular dental visits are important, so we can spot when a tooth needs to be refilled.

East Amherst dental fillings

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East Amherst, NY dental fillings

Does It Hurt To Get A Filling?

Getting a filling is not a painful procedure because we numb your mouth with a local anesthetic. While you may feel some pressure from us working around the tooth, you won’t feel any pain. The anesthetic will wear off a few hours after the procedure and you should avoid eating or drinking any hot liquids to avoid accidentally biting or burning yourself. 

Once the anesthetic has worn off, you may feel some discomfort or tenderness in the tooth because we drilled out the tooth decay. This depends on the location of the filling and how large the filling was. Discomfort should be mild and relieved with the use of anti-inflammatory pain medication.