Restore Your Teeth's Natural Appearance
If you’re suffering from cracked teeth, chipped teeth, or cavities, Shallowford Smiles has the solution. By sealing damaged areas of the tooth, such as cavities and cracks, dental fillings work to prevent painful decay or serious infection that might otherwise develop.
At Shallowford smiles, we use a special kind of filling made of composite resin. This filling material is not only durable but also allows us to create tooth-colored fillings matched to the exact hue of your teeth.
Unlike amalgam (metal fillings), tooth-colored composite resin bonds exceptionally well with the tooth and is capable of filling much smaller spaces, making the process less invasive.
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Why Should You Get Teeth Fillings?
For many patients, dental fillings are often neglected until the discomfort caused by cavities or damaged teeth becomes too much to bear. Often, cavities or cracks aren’t even that noticeable when they begin to develop. But we strongly advise against putting off your fillings and encourage you to schedule an appointment as soon as tooth damage is detected. Here’s why:
- Tooth fillings stop cavities from getting bigger.
- Tooth Fillings help prevent painful infections or abscesses from forming.
- Cavities or cracks weaken your tooth. Composite fillings restore strength and durability.
- The earlier you get fillings, the less chance you have of developing further complications, ultimately saving you money in the long run.
- Dental fillings reduce sensitivity to hot and cold.
- If an emergency situation develops as a result of an untreated cavity, you may not be able to schedule an appointment as soon as you would like.
- White fillings or tooth-colored fillings preserve your natural smile for as long as possible.
How is a cavity filled?
While patients often dread their filling appointments, we’ve found that there always surprised to find out that the process of filling a cavity with composite resin is quite straightforward and pain-free!
Composite fillings are often completed in three easy steps, which we’ve outlined here:
Gentle Freezing
Before the tooth filling begins, we gently freeze the gum tissue surrounding the tooth so that it’s comfortably numb. While patients often feel anxious about this step, we assure them that freezing is a virtually painless process that helps prevent discomfort during the filling.
Filling the Tooth
Once the gum tissue is numbed, the tooth is cleaned and prepared to receive the composite filling. First, an adhesive gel is applied to the damaged area of the tooth. Then, the white teeth filling material is applied to the gel. The composite material is carefully and expertly sculpted to match the exact contours and alignment of the tooth.
Curing the Composite
A special LED light is used to cure the composite resin material to help it form a permanent bond with the tooth. Once the bond is formed, our doctor carefully examines the filling to make any finishing touches before giving the tooth a final polish.
The Cost of Composite Fillings in Chattanooga
Because composite fillings are such a common preventative dental procedure, they are covered by most insurance companies. With normal coverage, you can expect to pay anywhere from $0 to $100+. Without insurance, expect to pay between $120 to $300+, especially if you require multiple tooth fillings.
When we determine the actual cost of your treatment we refer to a few important factors:
- Your current oral health.
- How many tooth fillings you’ll need.
- Where the cavity is located in your mouth.
- Whether or not any new x-rays are required.
- The amount of time required by the dental team to meet your specific needs.
- The equipment and supplies that will be needed to serve all your needs.
To help reduce your chances of paying more to treat cavities or damaged teeth with more invasive procedures, it’s important to contact us as soon as possible to schedule your composite fillings. Our team will be happy to answer any questions you may have about coverage and payment options.
Financing Options:
Your mouth is one of the most important investments that you can make in yourself. Many of our patients find it easier to break up the investment in their mouth into monthly payments. As such we work with Care Credit and Alphaeon to help. There are options ranging from 0% interest for 6 months, up to 60-month terms.
Contact us today
to schedule an initial consultation & exam.
Your consultation will include an examination of everything from your teeth, gums and soft tissues to the shape and condition of your bite. Generally, we want to see how your whole mouth looks and functions. Before we plan your treatment we want to know everything about the health and aesthetic of your smile, and, most importantly, what you want to achieve so we can help you get there.
Frequently Asked Questions
With a normal daily brushing and flossing routine and regularly scheduled cleanings and checkups, your fillings should last well over ten years.
Fillings used to be done with an alloy called ‘dental amalgam’ and had many nicknames such as “silver” and “mercury” fillings. While there is plenty of debate over the safety of amalgam fillings, according to the Canadian Dental Association, scientific studies have not verified that dental amalgam is causing illness in the general population. So if you currently have silver fillings, don’t fear!
There are over-the-counter products available to temporarily fill a cavity or minor tooth damage until you can make it to the dentist, but they are not a permanent solution and cannot replace a professional dental filling. A cavity is permanent tooth damage that must be cleaned, prepared, and filled by a dental professional. There are severe risks associated with letting dental decay continue to worsen. If left untreated, cavities can lead to tooth loss and tooth abscess, or more serious infections.
If you are experiencing severe pain that prevents you from eating or sleeping, this is considered a dental emergency and we urge you to call us right away. We can give you advice over the phone and see you as soon as possible. For temporary relief of toothache, apply a cold compress to your face over the painful area. You may be able to take the edge off your pain by taking a pain reliever like acetaminophen (ex. Tylenol) or ibuprofen (ex. Advil). Always follow the advice of your doctor and read the instructions on the bottle when taking any medication. Make a note of what medication, how much and the time it was taken so you can let us know when you come in.
Any sensitivity following a tooth filling should not last more than four weeks. If sensitivity doesn’t lessen over time or persists after four weeks, contact your doctor.
White fillings– or “tooth-colored fillings” – are made from a composite resin material. This resin is blended with plastics and elements like silica which work to emulate the natural appearance and color of teeth.
Rhonda Atkins
Dr. Brian Wilkinson has been my dentist for the past 8 years. He is absolutely the very best. Caring and has always been available to help me and my husband during several emergencies. He is always thanking his staff for their work while assisting him. He is so appreciative of them and does an amazing job. Great smile too.
Phil Amick
This is by far the best dental office I have ever been to. I have never been a fan of the dentist, but they don't judge. They told me what was necessary, what I needed most, and let me choose what I could afford, first. Josie lights up the office with her kind, empathetic personality and Dr. Wilkinson is gentle and he speaks in terms everyone can understand. Everyone here is kind and professional and I wouldn't trade them for the world. I hope they know how amazing they are.
Carrie Ogle
This office is absolutely amazing! I had two teeth pulled today and I didn’t feel any pain during the procedure. Dr. Brian Wilkinson and his staff made me feel so comfortable and they made my experience the best that I’ve EVER had. I highly recommend this office to anyone looking for a dentist!
