Tooth-Colored Fillings – Greenville, TX
Filling Your Teeth for Seamless Repairs
Cavities are all too common thanks to an overabundance of sugar in the average American’s diet. These tiny pits can detract from the appearance of your smile and sometimes cause discomfort. The solution is a dental filling that will repair the holes left by tooth decay. Traditionally, this is done with a mixed alloy called amalgam, but at Stone Street Dental in Greenville, Dr. Alison Garradoffers tooth-colored fillings to prevent the spread of decay and keep your smile looking bright.
Why Choose Stone Street Dental for Tooth-Colored Fillings?
- Two Compassionate Dentists With Many Years of Experience
- Accepts Multiple Dental Insurance Providers
- Natural-Looking & Durable Dental Resin
What Are Tooth-Colored Fillings?
Tooth-colored fillings, also known as composite fillings, are made from a viscous mixture of ultra-fine plastic and glass particles called composite resin. This incredible material contains no metal, making it a more conservative alternative to traditional amalgam fillings.
The main purpose of fillings is to repair the damage done by tooth decay to keep your natural teeth healthy. However, composite resin can also be shaded to match the color of your teeth, providing a nearly invisible restoration that masks the discoloration that cavities create.
The Process of Getting a Tooth-Colored Filling
The procedure for tooth-colored fillings typically requires only a single appointment at Stone Street Dental. Here’s a quick breakdown:
- While most patients don’t require sedation dentistry for fillings, Dr. Garrad will make accommodations for you if you have dental anxiety. Both nitrous oxide and oral conscious sedation are great ways to keep you relaxed during your procedure.
- After numbing the area, Dr. Garrad will remove any decayed portions of enamel with specialized instruments and sanitize the area around their work.
- Next, thin layers of color-matched dental resin are applied to the affected tooth and hardened using an ultraviolet curing light.
- The filling is then sculpted to ensure a proper fit and polished for a smooth finish. Despite its simplicity, tooth-colored fillings offer durable and long-lasting results comparable to older metal ones!
While the whole process usually takes less than an hour, the exact time of your treatment can vary depending on the size of the cavity and where it is in your mouth.
The Benefits of Tooth-Colored Fillings
Tooth-colored fillings offer several great benefits, especially when compared to traditional metal amalgam fillings.
- Improved Aesthetics: Metal fillings can make your tooth appear gray or draw attention because it’s shiny. Composite fillings create a healthy-looking appearance that blends seamlessly with your smile.
- Preserve More of Your Tooth: While metal fillings require a large amount of tooth structure to be removed, composite resin easily fills even the smallest gap and bonds directly with the natural structure. This keeps more of your tooth intact and healthy.
- Metal-Free Restoration: Amalgam fillings run the risk of triggering metal allergies, but with tooth-colored fillings, there’s no chance of causing discomfort due to a reaction.
- Less Discomfort: Composite fillings are also less reactive overall to changes in temperature, reducing tooth sensitivity and preventing small fractures that amalgam fillings would cause from expanding and contracting over time.
- Very Durable: With proper oral hygiene, including brushing twice per day and flossing every night, these white fillings can last for several years and even over a decade.
Tooth-colored fillings are a simple, effective way to keep your smile healthy and looking fantastic. If you want to enjoy the fantastic benefits of composite fillings, call Stone Street Dental today and schedule your consultation with Dr. Garrad. They’ll be more than happy to help you take your smile back from cavities.
