Tooth-Colored Fillings in Chicago, IL

What a tooth-colored filling at AAP Dental includes

A tooth-colored filling at AAP Dental includes a digital X-ray to measure the depth of decay, local anesthetic, removal of the decay, placement of composite resin in layers, light curing, and shaping and polishing of the filling to the bite, all in one 20 to 60 minute visit.

• Shade matching: the dentist selects a composite shade against the natural tooth before the tooth dries, because dry enamel looks lighter.
• Decay removal: only the decayed structure is removed, so a composite filling keeps more of the tooth than a metal filling.
• Bonding: the cavity is etched and a bonding agent is applied, which seals the margin against new decay.
• Layering and curing: composite is placed in layers of about 2 millimeters and hardened with a curing light for 20 seconds per layer.
• Finishing: the filling is carved to the bite and polished so it feels like the original tooth.

Tooth-colored filling cost and insurance

Tooth-colored filling cost depends on the number of tooth surfaces filled, from 1 surface to 3 or more, and most traditional dental insurance plans cover composite fillings on front teeth and a percentage on back teeth, because fillings are classified as basic restorative care.

AAP Dental accepts most traditional dental insurance plans and does not participate in HMO plans. Payment options include CareCredit financing, flexible payment plans, cash, checks, and credit cards. New patients can combine the $49 examination and cleaning offer with the X-rays that locate decay.

What tooth-colored fillings treat and the results to expect

Tooth-colored fillings treat cavities, small chips, worn edges, and defective old fillings, and the result is a sealed, shade-matched tooth that chews normally the same day. Composite fillings last 5 to 10 years, and a filling that covers more than half of the tooth is replaced with a dental crown because composite is not strong enough for large spans.

• Decay stops because the infected tooth structure is removed and the cavity is sealed.
• Toothache from a cavity resolves within 1 to 2 weeks when the decay has not reached the nerve.
• Old silver amalgam fillings are replaced with composite when they crack or when the patient wants a tooth-colored result.
• A chipped front edge is rebuilt with the same composite used in dental bonding.

Who tooth-colored fillings are for

Tooth-colored fillings suit children and adults with small to medium cavities on any tooth. A filling is not recommended when decay has reached the nerve, which requires a root canal, or when the cavity is too large for the remaining tooth to support, which requires a crown.

AAP Dental treats adults and children, and composite is the standard filling material for both because it contains no mercury and bonds to the tooth.

Before, during, and after a tooth-colored filling

Tooth-Colored Fillings at AAP Dental follows 3 stages: preparation, the visit itself, and aftercare, and each stage has its own instructions below.

Before the filling

Cavities are found at the examination and cleaning visit with digital X-rays, which show decay between the teeth that the eye cannot see. Eat a normal meal before the visit, because the mouth is numb for 1 to 3 hours afterward.

During the filling

1. The dentist numbs the tooth with local anesthetic. A topical gel numbs the gum before the injection.
2. Decay is removed with a handpiece and the cavity is shaped and cleaned.
3. The tooth is etched, bonded, filled in layers, and light cured.
4. The bite is checked with marking paper and the filling is polished. The visit takes 20 to 60 minutes.

After the filling

Composite is fully hard when you leave, so you can eat as soon as the numbness wears off in 1 to 3 hours. Sensitivity to cold or pressure fades within 2 weeks. Sensitivity that lasts longer than 2 weeks is checked and the bite adjusted.

Tooth-colored fillings vs silver amalgam fillings

Tooth-colored fillings differ from silver amalgam fillings by bonding to the tooth and matching its shade, while amalgam is a metal alloy held by the shape of the cavity. Choose composite for a natural look and a smaller cavity preparation, and expect amalgam to last about 10 to 15 years versus 5 to 10 for composite.

Why choose AAP Dental for tooth-colored fillings in Chicago

• Dr. Eduard Vernovsky, DDS has provided fillings, root canals, and general dentistry since graduating from Northwestern University Dental School in 1993.
• Digital X-rays at AAP Dental find decay between teeth early, when a small filling is still enough.
• Adults and children are treated at the same Harlem Avenue office, with Saturday hours until 4:00 PM.
• AAP Dental accepts most traditional insurance plans, CareCredit, and flexible payment plans.

Tooth-colored fillings near Harlem Avenue: location and hours

AAP Dental Group sits at 5037 N Harlem Ave, Chicago, IL 60656, at the corner of Harlem Avenue and Foster Avenue on the Northwest Side. Patients come from Norwood Park, Harwood Heights, Norridge, Edison Park, and Park Ridge, all within 15 minutes of the office. Weekday hours at AAP Dental run Monday 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM, Tuesday 9:00 AM to 6:30 PM, Wednesday 9:30 AM to 6:00 PM, and Thursday and Friday 9:30 AM to 6:30 PM. Saturday hours run 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM, and the office closes on Sunday.

Tooth-Colored Fillings questions

Tooth-Colored Fillings patients at AAP Dental Group ask these 5 questions most often, and each answer below is the dentist’s short reply.