What Are Tooth-Colored Fillings?
Tooth-colored fillings are often referred to as white fillings. They may also be called composite resin fillings, after the material that composes them. Composite resin is a special blend of plastic and other substances. It is a flexible material that can easily be inserted into dental cavities to protect a tooth’s inner layers and stop the decay from spreading. These fillings can be shade-matched to blend in seamlessly with the color of the surrounding dentition.
The Process of Getting a Tooth-Colored Filling
The process of getting a tooth-colored filling is quite fast and relatively simple. We begin by making sure that our patient is comfortable. In many cases, this means that we use local anesthetic to numb the tooth that will receive the filling. However, anesthetic is not always necessary if a cavity is fairly shallow.
Once you are settled into the treatment chair and any anesthetic has had time to take effect, we prepare your tooth for the filling by removing decayed tissue from within the cavity. You may feel some pressure as we do so, but you should not experience any significant pain. Once the tooth is prepared, we insert the filling material. Then, a special light hardens the filling in a matter of seconds. The last step is to shape the filling so it will not interfere with your bite and will feel comfortable against your tongue.
From start to finish, placing a tooth-colored filling takes less than an hour. Immediately after your appointment (or after any numbness wears off), you will be able to eat and drink normally. Some minor sensitivity is to be expected in the treated tooth, but that should wear off within a few days or weeks.
The Benefits of Tooth-Colored Fillings
Some of the top benefits of this restorative service include:
- It looks good. Tooth-colored fillings are almost impossible for others to notice when you are eating, speaking, and smiling.
- The material is biocompatible. Silver amalgam fillings are roughly 50% mercury, which is known to be toxic. Tooth-colored fillings are safer for the human body. Sensitivities and allergic reactions to them are almost nonexistent.
- Minimal tooth preparation is required. Because composite resin bonds with the teeth, there is no need to remove a significant amount of healthy dentition to prepare teeth for tooth-colored fillings.
- The results last. Most tooth-colored fillings last for several years before they need to be replaced.
