Dr. Nelly Silva and our team repair cavities and small chips before decay reaches the nerve, with numbing delivered by The Wand computer-controlled anesthesia system.
A filling replaces the part of a tooth that decay or damage has destroyed. We remove the soft, decayed enamel and dentin, clean the space, and seal it with a material that restores the tooth's shape and bite.
Caught early, a cavity needs only a small filling and the visit is short. Left alone, decay keeps spreading toward the nerve, and the repair becomes a root canal or a crown.
Many cavities cause no symptoms at first, so we look for them at every checkup with an exam and X-rays.
Fear of the needle keeps many people from treating a small cavity until it becomes a large one. We numb teeth with The Wand Advanced Anesthesia system, a computer-controlled handpiece that releases anesthetic at a slow, steady rate. The handpiece is small and pen shaped rather than a traditional syringe.
For stronger dental anxiety, Dr. Silva offers anxiety management and conscious sedation, so a filling can be done while you stay relaxed.
The right material depends on where the tooth is, how large the repair is and how hard you bite. Dr. Silva explains the options for your tooth before any work begins.
| Material | Appearance | Where It Fits | Visits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Composite resin | Tooth colored, shaded to blend with your enamel | Small to medium cavities on front and back teeth, chipped edges | Usually one |
| Glass ionomer | Tooth colored, slightly less translucent | Areas near the gumline and baby teeth; it releases fluoride over time | One |
| Ceramic inlay or onlay | Tooth colored and stain resistant | Larger repairs on back teeth that need more strength than a direct filling | Made outside the mouth, often two |
| Silver amalgam | Metallic gray, darkens with age | Found in many older fillings; a cracked or leaking one can be replaced with a tooth-colored material | One to replace |
Dr. Silva checks the tooth, reviews X-rays to see how deep the decay goes and confirms a filling is the right repair.
The Wand delivers local anesthetic slowly, and we wait until the tooth is fully numb. Sedation is available if you need it.
Decay is removed and the tooth is cleaned. A tooth-colored filling is placed in thin layers, each hardened with a curing light.
We check your bite, adjust any high spots and polish the surface so it feels smooth to your tongue.
Numbness usually wears off within a few hours, so wait to chew until it does. Mild sensitivity to cold for a few days is common. If your bite feels high or sensitivity lasts beyond a couple of weeks, let us know and we will adjust the filling.
“★★★★★"The woman who did my fillings (Missy) was very sweet too and I got many but after my mouth felt the same, if not better."
Casey M., Google review
“★★★★★"I also have dental anxiety and the atmosphere & team was super calming and eased my nerves."
Liz A., Google review
“★★★★★"Dr. Silva and her team were so helpful and welcoming and made the experience so easy."
Kyla K., Google review
Dr. Silva earned her DMD at Temple University's Kornberg School of Dentistry, where she now teaches as a Clinical Associate Professor. She places fillings as part of the comprehensive general dentistry she provides, and builds each treatment plan around the patient in her chair.
She invites patients to call her Nelly.
Part of placing a filling is knowing when it is the wrong repair. If your exam shows one of these, Dr. Silva explains the alternative and why.
When decay or a fracture removes too much of the tooth, a large filling can leave thin walls that crack. A crown or onlay covers and protects what remains.
Throbbing pain or swelling can mean infection has reached the pulp. Dr. Silva performs root canals to save the tooth before it is rebuilt.
If too little healthy structure remains, the tooth is removed and the gap is restored with a dental implant or a partial denture.
Many dental plans include coverage for fillings, and your share depends on your plan. Cost depends on how many surfaces of the tooth are involved and the material, so you get an exact figure after your exam.
We are in network with all PPO dental insurance plans and review your benefits with you before treatment.
Our dental savings plan gives patients without coverage a way to pay for routine and restorative care.
Payment plans are available to spread the cost of treatment over time.
We do not accept Medicaid.
Tooth-colored resin fillings commonly last many years. Their lifespan depends on the size of the filling, where it sits, whether you clench or grind, and how well the edges are kept clean. We check every filling at your regular exams and replace one only when it starts to wear, chip or leak.
The tooth is numbed before any work begins, so most patients feel pressure and vibration rather than pain. We deliver the anesthetic with The Wand, and patients with strong dental anxiety can ask about conscious sedation.
A tooth-colored filling is hardened with a curing light before you leave, so the filling itself is ready right away. Wait until the numbness wears off before chewing so you do not bite your cheek or tongue. Mild sensitivity to cold for a few days is normal.
Yes, when an older silver filling is cracked, worn or has decay underneath it. Dr. Silva checks each one at your exam and explains whether it needs replacing now or can be monitored. A sound filling that is doing its job does not always need to come out.
Many dental plans include coverage for fillings, and your share depends on your plan. We are in network with all PPO dental insurance plans and review your benefits with you before treatment.
Book an exam with Dr. Silva at our office at 399 Arcola Road in Collegeville, PA 19426.
