Dr. Nancy Block is a well-respected Chicago dentist that treats local residents for a variety of dental health needs, including dental filling and tooth restorations. She is described by her patients as compassionate and caring and she understands the importance of providing quality service, exceptional care and competitive pricing that makes it possible for your family to maintain the health of your teeth and gums.

Restorative dental procedures are necessary when damage or decay occurs on the hard surface of the tooth. Tooth decay can occur when residual bacteria builds up due to improper brushing, poor oral hygiene or an ingestion of excessive amount of food or drink containing large amounts of sugar. This decay creates cavities, which typically require dental restoration, commonly called “dental fillings”.

Left untreated, cavities can increase in size over time. The larger the cavity becomes, the greater the risk of the tooth becoming more difficult to treat and can often times result in tooth loss. Some cavities can extend deep into the interior of the tooth, which can cause severe toothache. Ignoring a cavity can often lead to an abscess or infection.

Treatment plans vary, according to the severity of the cavity, whether or not an infection is present, and the extent of decay in and around the tooth. Regularly scheduled dental exams should be performed to detect the early onset tooth decay. When decay is identified, Dr. Block will discuss the most appropriate treatment option, and in many case, a dental filling is the typical procedure required.

Dr. Block is gentle in doing dental fillings (sometimes called dental restorations) and explains the procedure thoroughly, prior to beginning the treatment. She will use a drill to remove the decayed portion of the tooth, while an assistant makes sure to keep your mouth clear and rinsed. The act of removing of a portion of your tooth leaves a void that must be filled – that’s wehere the term “dental filling” comes from.

There are several options with respect to the type of material used to for the restoration. Gold fillings are frequently chosen because of the fact that gold is a hard, durable metal. The fillings can be expensive, as gold is far more costly than silver or other metals. The benefits to a gold filling include the fact that you will be able to chew virtually anything and the fillings last for a long time.

About Dr. Nancy Block

Dr. Nancy Block is a licensed provider of General and Preventative Dentistry as well as Cosmetic and Restorative Dentistry and accepts most major dental insurance plans in Illinois.

Dr. Block treats patients in the Chicago Metro area including the neighborhoods of Lakeview, Lincoln Park, The Loop, Magnificent Mile, Old Town, River North, Streeterville, The West Loop and the Gold Coast.