Fillings conservatively rebuild the natural, brilliant appearance and health of a decayed tooth
At West Suburban Oral Health Care, we appreciate the value of ongoing partnerships between our professional team and our patients — extended members of our dental family! Our dentists in Naperville, Illinois, Drs Susan Mazzei, and Kelsey Esposito, and provide guidance on techniques and products to retain the health of your teeth. They also use their expertise and advanced technologies to detect enamel erosion and other damage early, when more conservative procedures are recommended to restore the health of the affected tooth. No restorative treatment may be needed to remineralize the teeth and build up their healthy structure.
Fillings treatment
Fillings are generally considered to be a conservative restorative treatment. Their function is in the name: A dental material is prepared and shaped to literally “fill in” the damaged surfaces of the teeth. Damage can arise as the result of lingering food particles and harmful bacteria. These substances produce plaque that can then harden into tartar. The decay process erodes at the teeth. Enamel erosion occurs earlier in the process, and a small cavity or hole may develop in the tooth. Fillings, in turn, replace the damaged or missing tooth structure and are considered a go-to way to repair cavities.
What to expect
If fillings are appropriate for you, the treated teeth are “prepared.” Any diseased tissue is removed. The tooth is also cleaned to provide a fresh slate for your rebuilt tooth. The structure of the remaining surrounding natural tooth is also used to help create the filling that will be placed within it, which must blend in with the existing structure. Many different materials, from metals to non-metals such as ceramics and resins, can be used. Composite resin and dental porcelain are among the most coveted materials to rebuild tooth structure because they get along so well with surrounding natural tissues. They also look like real teeth. Less alteration of the natural tooth is also required to accommodate the filling. So, non-metals are primarily conservative and preserve maximum healthy tooth material.
The filling is then precisely placed to build up and restore the damaged area. It is eventually bonded or secured to the tooth before being refined and polished. Depending on the type of material used, the material may be applied in layers and then hardened as each layer is affixed to the tooth. This approach allows for a secure bond and is also particularly conservative. All treatments are well-tolerated with localized anesthetic applied to the treatment site. Treated teeth hold up well for years to come, as long as you maintain excellent oral hygiene at home and professional visits to our practice.
Not all patients’ teeth are great candidates for fillings. Some large cavities may be better served with inlays, onlays (partial crowns), or complete dental crowns. To find out more, schedule an appointment at our office in Naperville. Call West Suburban Oral Health Care at 630-393-3045.
Dr. Susan Mazzei is committed to delivering compassionate and effective care to patients of all ages and backgrounds in Naperville, Illinois. She is a highly skilled dentist who earned her Certification in Prosthodontics after graduating from Northwestern University Dental School.
After finishing her studies, she enrolled in the Northwestern University Dental School faculty as a full-time Clinical Assistant Professor. Dr. Mazzei believes that optimal dental health begins with education and preventative care and educates patients at West Suburban Oral Healthcare on how to take more control of their oral health, which promotes optimal systemic health.
Dr. Mazzei is dedicated to upgrading her education and being up to date on the newest breakthroughs in oral health and dentistry, ensuring that her patients receive the finest care possible.
Dr. Kelsey Esposito joined West Suburban Oral Health Care as an Associate General Dentist in 2017 after meeting Dr. Mazzei, with whom she shared a belief in providing comprehensive, personalized dental care.
She holds a BA in Economics and Fine Art from Kalamazoo College and a Premedicine Post-Baccalaureate Certificate from Northwestern University. Before entering dentistry, she worked in healthcare advertising and communications for a large ad company and a small non-profit cancer research organization. She earned her Doctor of Dental Medicine from The University of Illinois, Chicago.
Dr. Esposito is a member of several leading professional associations, like the American Dental Association and Academy of General Dentistry. Paying attention to detail and offering quality care that makes patients satisfied with their oral health and smiles are her goals.