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Dental Fillings in Greenwood

What are Dental Fillings?

If a tooth is damaged by decay, amalgam and composite fillings can be used to restore the tooth and bring it back to its natural function and structure. Fillings help prevent further decay by literally “filling” the spaces of the tooth where bacteria can gather. 

What steps are involved in filling a tooth?

First, our dentist will use a local anesthetic to numb the area around the tooth that needs to be filled to keep you comfortable and the entire procedure pain-free. Next, the decayed area will be removed and prepped for the filling. Once Dr. Samela or Dr. Scearce have confirmed that all of the decay has been removed, they will clean the cavity, fill it in, and polish it. 

What is an amalgam filling? 

Amalgam is a mixture of mercury with at least one other metal. This type of filling has been used to fill teeth for over 150 years. When placed in the tooth, amalgam remains soft for a short time which makes it easy to manipulate and pack into irregularly-shaped crevices. Most amalgam fillings last for up to 12 years, while other fillings last only half the time.

What are the benefits and shortfalls of amalgam fillings?

Amalgams (silver fillings) are very durable. They last 10-15 years and can withstand even the strongest chewers. They also tend to be less expensive than composite (tooth-colored) fillings.

Despite the longer durability of amalgam fillings and less expensive, they do have a few negatives. This filling is silver and therefore is visible on the tooth. Additionally, amalgam fillings can cause discoloration (grayish) to the area around the filled tooth. A crack or fracture to the tooth is slightly more likely to occur because the metal material is more likely to expand and contract. Finally, there is a very slight chance for an allergic reaction to the mercury present in amalgam filling (about 1% of the population has this reaction).

What is a composite filling? 

Composite fillings are made of a plastic resin and silica filler. They serve the same purpose as an amalgam filling but are tooth-colored which allows for more flexibility in where they can be used.

What are the benefits of composite fillings?

Composite fillings are a good choice for patients who prefer that their fillings look more natural. They blend in with the white color of your teeth. Also, the composite material makes your tooth stronger because of the way it bonds to the tooth. They’re also the ideal choice if the contours of the teeth make the filling visible even when your mouth is closed. 

How does the process differ?

Composite fillings require the tooth be kept clean and dry throughout the filling process, so placing a composite filling often takes a little longer than an amalgam filling.

There are two other options for tooth-colored fillings — they include ceramics and glass ionomer fillings. If you have any questions about fillings or want to learn more about our procedure for them, please contact our Greenwood, IN dental office at 317 885-7760.

Take the first step towards a healthy and radiant smile today!

Schedule your appointment with Greenwood Dental Smiles, your trusted and experienced dentist in Greenwood. Do not wait any longer to achieve the perfect smile you deserve!

Or call — 317-885-7760

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Patient Testimonials

"This was my first visit with Greenwood Dental Smiles. They were friendly from the moment I walked in the door to the moment I left. Such a great office! Happy people who seem to love their job. Even got a nice coffee mug to use! Definitely will be going back!"

Christy Hill

"My daughter and I have been going here for a few years now. We absolutely love Greenwood Dental Smiles. Not only are they professional but they are caring which means a lot to me and my family. They always take their time and listen to any concerns or questions we may have. I also love the fact that they are very personal and make you feel as if you really matter to them and that you’re not just a patient."

Carol Nixon

"I'm very pleased with Greenwood Dental Smiles, and I highly recommend. Everyone is very experienced and have great communication skills. Dr Jillian Samela is top notch, with excellent hygienist and a professional staff."

Chuck Cowell

"Greenwood Dental Smiles made my first visit to the dentist in 10+ years as painless as possible. The staff is super friendly, and you can feel the support and love between the team during your visit. Highly recommend! And my next visit was just as wonderful. They are truly consistent with their experiences! Love my dentist "

Kelsi Faletic

"Amazing team! I really can't say enough about Greenwood Dental Smiles and their entire staff. They're always super friendly and do phenomenal work. Due to my refusal to floss regularly I’ve given them a few small “projects” over the years beyond just routine cleanings. I’m totally petrified of shots/needles but they’re some of the best in the business at guiding me through it those scenarios. If you’re looking to get some work done or just schedule cleanings, look no further. I would never go anywhere else; in fact maybe I’ll continue not flossing just so I can come back more frequently :-D"

Tom Leeper

"So glad I chose Greenwood Dental Smiles, everyone was so friendly and professional. From setting up my appointment to my cleaning and exam it was so smooth. I highly recommend!"

Aubrey Sanchez

"I have been a patient for approx 5 years. The dentists and staff are always delightful and informative. I would recommend your office to others"

Amy Larmore

"Hands down the best dentist I've been to in my 30 years. From the beginning everyone was friendly. The dental hygienist, Paige, put me at ease and was very gentle with the cleaning. The dentist was extremely nice and explained everything to me. I'm so glad I finally found a dentist that I enjoy going to."

Abby Chumin

"Wonderful experience. Staff was very friendly, teeth feel very clean. Explained procedures clearly, communicated openly and were easy to understand. "Greenwood Dental Smiles" is a very fitting name because smiles were abundant all around!"

Jared Wilson

"I highly recommend Greenwood Dental Smiles! Upon entering, I’m greeted by name- who doesn’t love that!? Everyone else I encounter is incredibly friendly and patient with all my questions. Whether I’m there for a cleaning or a different procedure everything is explained to me, step-by-step. The recently remodeled office is always clean. If you’re looking for a new dental office, Greenwood Dental Smiles is the place to go!"

Melissa Summitt

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