Tooth-Colored Fillings

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Why Tooth-Colored Fillings are Your Best Option for a Seamless Cavity Repair

A dental cavity is something almost everyone experiences in their life. The treatment to fix a small to medium-sized cavity is a filling. The most common material used in fillings is silver (amalgam). However, many dentists have started offering tooth-colored fillings for a more natural appearance.

But What Exactly Is A Tooth-Colored Filling?

As the name suggests, a tooth-colored filling is a filling material that looks just like your natural tooth.

The material is a mixture of plastic resin and powdered glass filler. It is known as composite and has a more natural appearance than other filling materials. This composite is customizable and can be made to match your tooth’s shade. This makes the filling almost unnoticeable.

Figuring Out If You Need A Tooth-Colored Filling

A toothache is a hallmark sign that something is wrong. Anyone who has ever suffered from a toothache knows that it is an incredibly distracting and painful situation. And while it might seem that simply taking a pain reliever will help, it won’t. Over-the-counter pain medication may help for a little while. However, the pain will be back once its efficacy is gone.

To take care of the problem, you need to visit your dentist. Here are some signs to look out for that might require dental intervention –

Toothache
Bad breath
Food gets trapped in between teeth
Pain on chewing
Tooth sensitivity
Bleeding gums when your brush your teeth

Your dentist at Anoka Dental will thoroughly examine your teeth and assess whether you require a tooth-colored filling. The assessment includes physically examining the mouth and also taking X-rays wherever required.

The Procedure for Getting A Tooth-Colored Filling

You have a tooth cavity and are probably wondering what to do. Well, the first thing you need to do is to schedule an appointment with the dental experts at Anoka Dental. You can find our contact number at the end of this post.

Once the formalities are complete and you are in our dental chair, here is what you can expect during your appointment.

Getting a tooth-colored filling is a straightforward process and requires a single visit.

1. Selecting the Shade of the Filling

Before we begin, our dentist will select the right shade of the filling material. This is done to ensure that the filling matches your real teeth to give you a natural-looking smile.

The dentists at Anoka Dental will select the shade before the teeth and mouth dry out as this might affect the brightness of the teeth.

2. Getting The Anesthesia (Novocaine)

To ensure that you are pain-free and comfortable during the treatment, your dentist will give you a shot of novocaine to numb the tooth and surrounding areas.

3. Removing The Decayed Portion Of Tooth

Your dentist will use a dental drill and remove the area of the tooth that is decayed. This is done to prevent reinfection after the filling is placed.

4. Cleaning The Tooth

Once the decay is removed, the dentist cleans and dries the tooth. This also gets rid of any debris in the prepared area.

5. Etching The Tooth

For the tooth-colored filling to stick to the tooth, “etching” and “bonding” agents are applied.

6. Placing The Tooth-Colored Filling

The composite material is placed into the hole in the tooth. After which, a special light is used to set and harden the filling.

This entire process is done in a series of layers. Each layer is set with the light before moving on to the next.

7. Adding Finishing Touches

Once all of the filling material is placed, your dentist will shape and mold the tooth. The final step is polishing the tooth. They will also check your bite to ensure you are comfortable with the filling.

The Pros of Getting a Tooth-Colored Filling

We mentioned earlier that silver (amalgam) fillings have been the norm for cavities for years. So why are tooth-colored fillings gaining popularity? Here are some of the reasons –

1. The Procedure Is Pretty Quick

From removing the decayed portion of the tooth to setting the filling material, the entire treatment takes about 20 minutes to half an hour. Of course, this depends on the size of the cavity as well.

Additionally, it doesn’t require any downtime. You can go back to your routine life once the numbness has worn off.

2. The Filling Looks Good

In a world obsessed with appearances, a tooth-colored filling fits in perfectly. Once it is set, it matches your natural tooth, and you can’t even tell the difference between the artificial portion and the natural tooth structure!

3. Tooth-Colored Filling Lasts Long

Proper care and attention to oral health ensure your composite filling lasts about 10 years

4. Preserves Natural Tooth Material

With tooth-colored fillings, not much tooth material needs to be removed. The exception to this rule is the amount of decay affecting the tooth. Due to the non-removal of excess tooth material, the natural structure can be conserved.

Excited to Explore Tooth-Colored Fillings Further? Schedule an Appointment at Anoka Dental, MN, Today!

If you’re looking at your teeth in the mirror and feel like what you see might be a cavity, fret not. Simply get in touch with the experts at Anoka Dental by calling (763) 421-4002 and allow us to handle the rest. You can also request an appointment by filling out this form.

Tooth-Colored Filling FAQs

What other filling material options exist?

Other tooth filling materials are amalgam, gold, porcelain, etc. However, composite is the most appealing to look at, hence the popularity.

Can tooth-colored fillings be whitened?

Unfortunately, tooth-colored fillings cannot be whitened. So if you’re planning to whiten your teeth, do it before any filling material is placed. That way, your dentist can shade match the composite to your teeth.

Are tooth-colored fillings safe?

Yes. No evidence of tooth-colored fillings causing any harm exists.