Fillings and Restorations in the Virgin Islands

Whether you need fillings or restorations for your teeth, you are assured that our doctors and their staff utilize the latest in dental technology to enhance the quality and fit for your dental care in St. Thomas and St. Croix.

Maintaining a healthy, beautiful smile often requires fillings or restorations to repair tooth damage caused by decay, fractures, and wear. At VI Dental Center in the Virgin Islands, we offer advanced techniques and materials to restore your teeth’s natural function and appearance. Whether you need a simple filling or a more extensive restoration, our experienced team is dedicated to delivering comfortable, lasting results.

With over 15 years of serving the Virgin Islands community, VI Dental Center is committed to providing high-quality fillings and restorations. We pride ourselves on creating a welcoming environment where every patient receives personalized care. Trust us to help restore your smile’s health and beauty.

What Are Tooth Fillings?

We are a mercury-free practice. However, many people still have silver/mercury fillings in their mouths from years past. These fillings are not particularly pleasing to the eye, and we know that by unavoidable design, silver/mercury fillings ultimately result in a weaker tooth structure. Porcelain inlays and Tooth Colored Restorations (onlays) create fillings that are not only beautiful (or unnoticeable) but also add strength to weakened teeth. These restorations are esthetically pleasing and very strong thanks to new bonding technologies.

When Do You Need a Filling or Restoration?

There are several possible indicators that you may need a new filling, either to fill in a new hole or to replace an old one that is no longer functioning as well as it should. The following are a few signs you may need a filling:

Tooth pain, especially a sharp pain or pain while chewing
Tooth sensitivity, including sensitivity to pressure, hot, or cold
Visible holes or dark spots you can see
Bad breath or a foul taste in your mouth
Rough tooth surface
Chipped teeth
Floss continuously breaks or tears
Swollen gums
Old filling is cracked, chipped, otherwise damaged, or missing

Depending on the circumstances, a filling or filling restoration can address and help prevent future dental problems. You will generally need a filling because of tooth decay, trauma, wear from grinding, or wear and tear over long terms of use, all of which may cause the above symptoms or signs.

Because many people may not notice the signs immediately, it’s essential to go to the dentist regularly. Going two to four times a year will help you and your dentist find and identify issues early, mitigating damage and risks. If you want help from a qualified provider, please reach out to VI Dental Center at your convenience.

What to Expect During the Filling and Restoration Procedure

For a new filling, your dentist will generally prepare you for the procedure, then remove any decay, clean and shape the remaining tooth, and fill the cavity with either amalgam or dental composite. If the filling is made of resin, your dentist will use a UV curing light to harden it quickly.

Then, your dentist will smooth out and polish any rough areas so that your mouth is comfortable and feels somewhat natural. Your dentist will also check on your bite to make sure it feels normal before you leave.

Do Fillings Require Numbing or Anesthesia?

Your dentist will likely numb the area around the impacted teeth with a local anesthetic. This is usually injected into the gum. While it may feel like a pinch or a sting momentarily, you won’t have to worry about feeling pain during the procedure.

Generally, patients have the choice to be awake or asleep during their fillings. We encourage you to speak with your provider about your preferences, especially if you struggle with anxiety or prefer to be asleep during the treatment.

How Long Does the Filling Process Take?

Most fillings take little time to complete, and a singular filling may be completed in as little as 20 minutes. Multiple fillings will take longer, but you can generally get many during one office visit.

While the fillings themselves will not be painful during healing, you may feel slightly uncomfortable once the numbing wears off. You may experience some discomfort or sensitivity at any injection site inside the oral cavity. Due to this, as well as a slightly increased risk of infection after the procedure, we recommend you do not eat, drink, or smoke for the first few hours after your treatment.

Aftercare for Your New Dental Fillings

After the procedure, we can offer a few tips to streamline healing and aftercare, such as:

Eat primarily soft foods; avoid sticky or hard foods
Avoid hot and cold foods that may make teeth feel more sensitive
Do not smoke or use any tobacco products for at least the first 12 hours
Avoid irritating the affected areas
Skip out on contact sports
Consume foods low in sugar, such as oatmeal, scrambled eggs, or yogurt
Notify your provider if you notice pain, swollen gums, or other signs of infection or if the filling comes out
Rinse with salt water to reduce bad breath and remove food left behind from eating; alternatively, you can use an alcohol-free mouthwash
Use anti-inflammatory medication if you need to, especially during the first couple of days
Brush and floss before bed; we recommend using a soft-bristled toothbrush to avoid discomfort

If you need any other recommendations to care for yourself and your new fillings, please reach out to us. We at VI Dental Center will be happy to answer your questions and provide any necessary guidance. You’re also welcome to point your questions directly to your provider during your consultation and before or after the procedure.

Disadvantages of Silver filling

Silver fillings have many drawbacks. The edges of the silver filling can wear down, become weak or break. This results in the tooth not being protected and lets cavities get started once again. With age, the metal of a silver filling expands, contracts, and can split.

Silver fillings contain 50 percent mercury. They can corrode, leak and cause stains on your teeth and gums.

Fortunately, silver fillings can safely be replaced with Tooth-Colored Restorations.

Advantages of Tooth-Colored Restorations

There are many advantages to tooth-colored restorations. Resin onlays are bonded to the teeth creating a tight, superior fit to the natural tooth. Such restorations can be used in instances where much of the tooth structure has been lost. The tooth remains intact and stronger.

Since the resin used in tooth-colored restorations contain fluoride this can help prevent decay. The resin wears like natural teeth and does not require placement at the gum line, which is healthier for your gums!

The result is a beautiful smile!

Replacing Silver Fillings with a Tooth Colored Restoration

You can have your silver fillings replaced with tooth-colored restorations (onlays). This process requires two appointments.

Your First Appointment:

The old filling is removed along with any additional decay.
An impression is made of your teeth. A model of your teeth is made and sent to the lab.
A temporary onlay is placed on the tooth.

At the Lab: A resin is carefully placed into the model of your teeth. It is then designed to look natural.

Your Second Appointment:

The temporary onlay is removed.
A conditioning gel is placed on your tooth to prepare it for the new onlay.
Bonding cement is placed on the tooth and a high intensity light bonds the resin to the tooth.
The tooth is then polished.

Your teeth are restored to a natural look and feel, they are stronger and the tooth is protected!

Get Seen By A Virgin Island Dentist Today!

VI Dental Center is the step towards a beautiful, healthy smile. We can’t wait to meet you!

Our mission over the last 15 years has been to serve families in the Virgin Islands with the incredible experience they truly deserve. Whether you need cosmetic treatment, wisdom tooth removal, a root canal, Orthodontics, or anything in between, VI Dental wants to serve you. We’re your Virgin Islands Dentist!

Mon – Fri	9:00 am – 6:00 pm
Saturday	Appointment Only
Sunday	Closed