What Are Modern Tooth Fillings Made Of? 

In the past, getting a dental filling usually meant a gleam of metal in your mouth. Advancements in modern dentistry now offer high-tech filling materials that blend long-lasting strength with seamless results. Today, metal-free, tooth-colored fillings have become the norm in many dental offices.

Tooth-Colored Fillings – An Overview

Tooth-colored dental fillings are made of a composite resin material that we closely match to the shade of your natural tooth enamel. When in place, the non-toxic material bonds to the natural tooth structure, strengthening and fortifying the affected tooth. 

Tooth-colored fillings are constantly improved and reinvented. The earlier versions were best suited to repair small to mid-sized cavities on teeth exposed to moderate chewing pressure. However, today’s modern white fillings are suitable for any tooth, providing strength, durability, and virtually unnoticeable results. 

Tooth-Colored Fillings vs. Amalgam Fillings

Composite resin fillings offer many advantages over their silver amalgam counterparts, including the following: 

• Unlike silver fillings with their metallic color, white fillings match the color and shade of your natural teeth, providing a cosmetic tooth restoration solution.
• Tooth-colored fillings are more conservative because they require the removal of minimal tooth structure compared to amalgam fillings. 
• Unlike white fillings, silver fillings contract and expand with temperature changes, often causing damage to the natural tooth structure.
• Composite fillings are metal-free, lowering the risk of metal allergies.
• Even though the mercury content in amalgam fillings is deemed safe by the American Dental Association, some patients prefer mercury-free fillings. 
• Tooth-colored fillings are versatile restorations that can repair many tooth flaws, such as chips, wear, or discoloration.  

What Is the Tooth-Colored Filling Procedure?

After numbing the area using a local anesthetic, we will remove the decayed tooth structure and clean and sterilize the area. Next, we’ll place the composite filling material in layers and hard it using a special curing light. The last step is shaping and polishing the filling material until it matches the shape and sheen of a natural tooth. Once in place, tooth-colored fillings blend in seamlessly with the surrounding teeth. With proper dental care, your restorations will enhance your oral health for many years to come.  

Maintaining Healthy Smiles

The best way to treat cavities is to prevent them altogether. We encourage our valued patients to maintain good dental hygiene practices, including regular brushing and flossing. Steer away from hard foods to avoid chipping your natural teeth or restorations. It’s also important to schedule your routine dental exams and cleanings to allow us to monitor your oral health and your dental work. 

Tooth-Colored Fillings Near Me

Contact Hebron Family Dentistry in Hebron, KY, to learn more about repairing cavities with tooth-colored fillings. Dr. Watson and her team are committed to enhancing your oral health and the appearance of your smile using the latest technology, techniques, and materials. Call us and schedule your appointment today!