What are Tooth-Colored Fillings?
Tooth-colored fillings, also known as composite fillings, are a type of dental filling that blends in with the natural color of your teeth. They are made of a composite resin that is a mixture of plastic and glass, and they can be used to fill cavities or repair chipped, broken or worn teeth.
Benefits of Tooth-Colored Fillings
One of the main advantages of tooth-colored fillings is their aesthetic appeal. Unlike traditional metal fillings, they blend in with the natural color of your teeth, making them virtually invisible. Additionally, tooth-colored fillings require less removal of the healthy tooth structure, which helps to preserve the integrity of your tooth. They also bond directly to the tooth, which can add to its overall strength.
Another benefit of tooth-colored fillings is that they do not contain any mercury, which is a concern for some patients. Mercury is a component of amalgam fillings, which are the traditional silver-colored fillings. While the American Dental Association (ADA) maintains that amalgam fillings are safe, some patients prefer to avoid them altogether.
How are Tooth-Colored Fillings Applied?
The process of applying a tooth-colored filling typically involves the following steps:
Local Anesthesia: To ensure that you are comfortable throughout the procedure, we typical administer a local anesthetic to numb the affected area.
Removing the Decay: We will then use a dental drill to remove any decay from the tooth.
Cleaning the Area: We will thoroughly clean the area to ensure that it is free of any debris or bacteria.
Applying the Filling: The composite resin material will be applied in layers, and each layer will be cured (hardened) using a special light. Once the filling is complete, we will shape and polish it to ensure that it matches the natural shape and color of your tooth.
Tooth-colored (“composite”) fillings are a popular alternative to traditional metal fillings. They offer numerous benefits, including their aesthetic appeal, preservation of healthy tooth structure, and bonding directly to the tooth. If you have a cavity or are in need of a filling, call us to discuss whether a tooth-colored filling is right for you.