Dental Fillings

Cavities and tooth decay can be extremely painful and will only get worse as time goes on. This is one of the reasons why it’s important to contact a dentist if you have tooth pain so it can be fixed by a simple filling instead of a more intensive and expensive procedure. Many cavities and tooth problems can be solved with a filling if they are caught early enough.

What is a filling?

When a tooth is damaged due to decay, it’s important to remove the decay and get the tooth back to its original form and shape. This is often done through a filling. Dr. Ed or one of his associates will remove the decaying materials and clean the area. Once the tooth is free of decay, he will fill the area with the filling materials to replace the missing tooth area and protect it from further decay.

Dental Assistant with Patient

"Dr Pat did a great job on a new filling and bonding today on a chipped front tooth. It looks natural and matches perfectly. Dr and Jess worked great together and casual small talk kept me at ease. Even though my insurance covers other dentists at a higher rate I choose this practice. Thanks for fixing my smile!"

-Jamie C.-

Dental Fillings
Silver vs. White Filling

What Types of Fillings Are Available?

There are several types of fillings available and each has their pros and cons.

If you want some bling in your teeth, then you can go with gold fillings. As you can guess, gold fillings are expensive, but gums tolerate gold well and have been known to last 20 years or more. It’s a sturdy material, but along with cost, it also doesn’t match the tooth color.

Silver fillings are less expensive and are good at resisting wear and tear, but they are very noticeable, so they are avoided for visible tooth areas.

Plastic composite resins can match the natural color of your teeth, but they can chip and wear over time. Plastic resins can last anywhere from three to 10 years. They also can be stained by coffee, smoking, etc.

Porcelain inlays bond to the tooth and are resistant to staining and wear and tear. They are about the same cost as gold fillings.

Dr. Ed Monroe and his staff will let you know if a filling is the best choice or if a crown or other procedure is needed. If you’re having tooth pain, don’t wait and set up an appointment today. A Lifetime of Smiles can stop the pain, so contact our LaSalle office now.

Looking For an Experienced Dentist For a Filling?
We Got You Covered!

Went in to get a cleaning and the dental assistant and doctor were very helpful and amazing to talk to. Most educational trip to the dentist I have ever experienced. Then a week later I was able to get in for a filling and had Dr. Pat again who did a fantastic job! No pain and talked through every step. Always a great experience and everyone is so friendly from the front office to the back. Thank you all!
Heather Hammitt
Heather Hammitt
1681758363
Dr. Ken and Kyssa did a great job with my crown and fillings. Very professional and pain-free!Heather
Jonathon Dubach
Jonathon Dubach
1680275819
Had a root cannal and crown done on one tooth and a filling on another didn't feel any pain and was done very well. Very informative during the whole process. 100% recommended.
Laura Michelini
Laura Michelini
1680182572
First Class dental practice! Had an old silver filling that cracked a tooth. Dr. Pat and Dr. Li accommodated my schedule immediately on Monday morning, and completed a crown in the same day. Lifetime of smiles have all the latest dental technology and understand schedules and availability of patients. Totally recommend Lifetime of Smiles for all of your dental routine cleanings and all dental services!
js_loader

Why Wait? Schedule Your Appointment Today!