Tooth-Colored Fillings – Richardson, TX
Restore Your Smile’s Health Without Ruining Its Appearance
Whether you have a noticeable cavity in your tooth, or you have an unattractive metal filling, tooth decay can make you hesitant to show off those pearly whites. Fortunately, you don’t have to suffer through this any longer. Instead of relying on silver amalgam fillings like dentists did in the past, we here at Canyon Creek Family Dentistry of Richardson use tooth-colored fillings to restore your smile’s health without ruining its appearance. If Dr. Azmoodeh detects that you have cavities in Richardson, he can repair your smile with a cosmetically pleasing solution. Contact us today to learn more.
What Are Tooth-Colored Fillings?
When a tooth breaks down in some way, it needs a restorative solution to bring it back to its original function. While silver amalgam fillings were the standard for generations, dental professionals have recently realized the countless benefits of tooth-colored fillings. Instead of being comprised of a mixture of various metals, they’re made of a putty-like plastic solution called composite resin. This material can be used in a wide variety of dental treatments, such as direct bonding, but they are most commonly used to repair teeth that have been damaged by decay or replace old metal fillings.
The Process of Getting a Tooth-Colored Filling
After your dentist in Richardson has determine that you need a filling, we can begin the treatment process. In most cases, we can complete a tooth-colored filling in just one appointment that takes an hour or less.
First, we’ll administer a local anesthetic to numb the part of your mouth we’ll be working on. While you may feel a slight pressure during the placement of the filling, it shouldn’t be painful in the slightest. Once your mouth is fully numb, we’ll remove the decayed portion of the enamel and thoroughly sanitize the tooth. Then we’ll use a shade guide to select the perfect color of composite resin to place on your tooth. The resin is applied in layers until the cavity is filled, and an ultraviolet curing light is shone onto the tooth to harden the material into place. After making sure your bite is even and giving your tooth one last polish, you’ll be good to go!
Benefits of Tooth-Colored Fillings
Tooth-colored fillings come with several advantages over traditional metal ones. For one, we can mix and match the composite resin to mimic the shade of your tooth, since the material is not made of metal. Your fillings should be completely unnoticeable to anyone except our dental team. They’re also safer because they contain no traces of mercury, unlike some metal fillings. Another benefit is that the resin forms a chemical bond with the enamel, sealing out the nerves in the center of the tooth and minimizing sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures. Best of all, tooth-colored fillings require significantly less enamel removal, allowing you to keep more of your natural tooth structure for much longer.