Tooth Colored Fillings To Enhance Your Smile
Do you have unsightly silver or dark-colored fillings that you desperately want replaced or upgraded? Would you rather have a filling that looks exactly like your natural tooth instead? Does the mercury in your mouth concern you?
Here at Gee Family and Cosmetic Dentistry, we offer tooth colored fillings. This is a significant upgrade to the old silver fillings and they offer beautiful results. Most people will never know that you have them.
A composite filling is a tooth-colored resin used to restore decayed teeth. Composites are also used for cosmetic improvements of the smile by changing the color of the teeth or reshaping disfigured teeth.
Reasons for composite fillings:
- Chipped teeth.
- Closing space between two teeth.
- Cracked or broken teeth.
- Decayed teeth.
- Worn teeth.
Advantages of composites:
- Aesthetics — the shade/color of the composite fillings can be closely matched to the color of existing teeth. Composites are particularly well suited for use in front teeth or visible parts of teeth.
- Bonding to tooth structure — composite fillings actually chemically bond to tooth structure, providing further support.
- Versatility — in addition to use as a filling material for decay, composite fillings can also be used to repair chipped, broken, or worn teeth.
- Tooth-sparing preparation — sometimes less tooth structure needs to be removed compared with amalgam fillings when removing decay and preparing for the filling.
How are composite fillings placed?
Composite fillings are usually placed in one appointment. While the tooth is numb, your dentist will remove the decay. The space will then be thoroughly cleaned and carefully prepared before the new filling is placed. If the decay was near the nerve of the tooth, a special medication will be applied for added protection. The composite filling will then be precisely placed, shaped, and polished, restoring your tooth to its original shape and function.
It is normal to experience sensitivity to hot and cold when composite fillings are first placed, however this will subside shortly after your tooth acclimates to the new filling.
You will be given care instructions at the conclusion of your treatment. Good oral hygiene practices, eating habits, and regular dental visits will aid in the longevity of your new fillings.
Some precautions you should take:
- Avoid chewing excessively hard foods (raw carrots, ice, etc) on the filled teeth, just as you would with your natural teeth.
- If swelling, intense pain, or a “high” bite (not correctly balanced) occurs, please call our office immediately for additional treatment.
- The gum tissue might be sore for a few days following the procedure.
- Frequent consumption of alcohol might destroy them over time, so limiting your intake is beneficial for your oral health.
Composite fillings can transform your teeth and look more appealing than the silver fillings.
Whether you have a cavity or you want to replace your old silver fillings, we encourage you to give us a call today for an appointment at 803-254-6763. We are confident that you will be pleased with the results.