Posts Tagged ‘Dental Fillings’
5 Benefits of Tooth-Colored Fillings
Tooth decay and cavities are the most common reasons for visiting the dentist. While the news that you need a filling may not be what you hope you hear, you’re in good hands at Hebron Family Dentistry. We offer tooth-colored fillings to restore your smile with beautifully natural results. Here’s all you need to know about our aesthetic restorations and the many benefits they offer.
What Are Tooth-Colored Fillings?
Tooth-colored fillings, also known as white fillings, are restorations made of a composite resin material that closely mimics many of the qualities of your natural tooth enamel, including its color, shade, and translucency. They offer a safe and effective solution for treating decayed teeth, delivering seamless results. They can also repair minor tooth chips, cracks, or wear, enhancing the health and appearance of your smile.
What Are the Benefits of Tooth-Colored Dental Fillings?
Here is a look at the top five benefits of tooth-colored fillings:
#1 They Look Natural: Tooth-colored fillings look incredibly natural, blending in perfectly with your smile. They are practically unnoticeable when you speak, smile, or laugh. That makes them the preferred restorative option for the front teeth.
#2 They Allow for Quick Treatment: The tooth-colored procedure is quick, usually taking a single office visit to complete. We will numb the area for your comfort, remove any decayed tooth structure, place the filling, and harden it with a curing light. The last step is making adjustments, as needed, and polishing your restoration.
#3 They Provide Structural Support: Unlike traditional fillings, our tooth-colored restorations bond directly to your natural teeth, fortifying their structure. When preparing to place your white filling, we can preserve more of healthy tooth structure, maintaining the strength and integrity of your tooth.
#4 They Are Resistant to Temperature Changes: Silver fillings contract or expand in response to temperature changes, which can sometimes cause the teeth to weaken and crack. Tooth-colored fillings do not respond to temperature changes, making them less likely to cause problems such as cracks or fractures.
#5 They Are Durable: Tooth-colored fillings are durable, lasting 10 years or longer with proper care. Make sure you brush and floss regularly and avoid biting down on hard objects that may damage your restoration. We also encourage you to keep up with your regular dental exams and cleanings every six months so we can monitor your oral health and your restorations and ensure they stay in tip-top shape.
Tooth-Colored Fillings Near Me in Hebron, KY
At Hebron Family Dentistry, we strive to provide our valued patients with durable, aesthetic restorations for long-term, healthy, and beautiful smiles. Dr. Watson and our patient-centered team are committed to providing quality, compassionate care tailored to your unique needs. We invite you to call us at 859-689-2021 to schedule your appointment or request one online today!
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!