Do You Need a Dental Filling?

Call Now: 847.695.3368

1209 Dundee Avenue Elgin, IL 60120

Do You Need a Dental Filling?

When you develop tooth decay, Dr. Isaac Qureshi at Smiles of Elgin Dental Care removes the decayed part of the tooth and uses restorative material to fill it in. This is called a dental filling. Some people are unclear of what this means and ask Dr. Isaac Qureshi “Do I Need a dental filling?” If a person find out that they have a cavity. A dental filling preserves the function and integrity of your tooth while protecting it against further decay. Below are the two most common types of dental fillings:

Silver Amalgam: This type of filling contains a combination of copper, mercury, silver, tin, and zinc with mercury making up about 50 percent of the mixture. It has been available for many years and remains the most popular. Although silver amalgam fillings can last for a lifetime, some patients don’t like the way they look in their mouth. Rarely, mercury fillings have come loose and caused an infection.
Ceramic Fillings: Many people prefer ceramic fillings because they blend in well with the natural tooth color and are more aesthetically pleasing. Other benefits of ceramic fillings are durability and resistance to staining. Since these types of fillings are somewhat bulky, Dr. Isaac Qureshi may need to remove some of your tooth enamel to ensure that they fit properly.
Fillings made of gold or glass are also a possibility, but they are not as common due to the cost of materials and difficulty of placing them in the mouth.

Schedule an Appointment to Learn More About Your Dental Filling Options

Dr. Isaac Qureshi always discusses your options for filling material before he fills in a cavity. It’s important to him that you understand the advantages and disadvantages of each type so you can make an informed choice. We have found that patients at Smiles of Elgin Dental Care are increasingly turning to composite fillings because they blend in so seamlessly. You don’t have to worry about others seeing a mouth full of metal when you smile or speak. Others are perfectly fine with the traditional types of dental fillings. Whatever your choice is, we are happy to honor it.

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    Office Hours

    Monday 10:00 to 6:00
    Tuesday 10:00 to 6:00
    Wednesday 11:00 to 8:00
    Thursday 10:00 to 6:00
    Friday 10:00 to 6:00
    Saturday 8:00 to 3:00
    Sunday Appointment only

    How to Counter Gum Disease?

    Call Now: 847.695.3368

    1209 Dundee Avenue Elgin, IL 60120

    How to Counter Gum Disease?

    Approximately 50 percent of all adults have gum disease by age 30, with that figure jumping to 75 percent by age 65. Unfortunately, most people are unaware that they have gum disease because its early symptoms are usually not noticeable. By the time Dr. Isaac Qureshi of Smiles of Elgin Dental Care diagnoses your gum disease, it may already be in the advanced stages. Many patients ask us at this time “How to counter gum disease?” Favorably, there is time to do this.

    Indications You May Have Gum Disease

    Gum disease is caused by inflammation, which in turn is caused by a build-up of bacteria. You may still develop gum disease even if you brush and floss your teeth regularly. Because of this, it’s important to know the symptoms so you can receive treatment for gum disease as early as possible. These include:

    Blood on your toothbrush or piece of dental floss
    Sores in your mouth that take a long time to heal
    A receding gum line
    Teeth that feel loose
    Redness or swelling of the gums
    Chronic halitosis (bad breath) despite regular brushing and use of mouthwash
    Your risk of developing gum disease increases if you smoke, clench your teeth, are pregnant, or lead a high-stress lifestyle.

    Gum Disease Treatment

    If you already have gum disease, the best way to reverse it is by undergoing scaling and root planing with Dr. Isaac Qureshi. This process, which is also called deep cleaning, removes plaque and tartar from your teeth as well as shrinks gum pockets. This is especially important because gum pockets attract bacteria that causes more plaque and tartar to develop. Before he starts the deep cleaning procedure, Dr. Isaac Qureshi will examine your mouth to make sure that an undiagnosed dental condition isn’t responsible for your gum disease.

    When it comes to gum disease, prevention is the best form of treatment. Some things you can do at home are to brush your teeth twice daily with fluoride toothpaste, floss after meals, and use antiseptic mouthwash. Coming in for your bi-annual dental check-ups with Smiles of Elgin Dental Care is also important. This gives us the opportunity to detect gum disease before it causes long-term damage.

    Recent Comments

      Archives

      Office Hours

      Monday 10:00 to 6:00
      Tuesday 10:00 to 6:00
      Wednesday 11:00 to 8:00
      Thursday 10:00 to 6:00
      Friday 10:00 to 6:00
      Saturday 8:00 to 3:00
      Sunday Appointment only