Tooth-Colored Fillings – Greenbelt, MD
Natural-Looking & Feeling Smile Restoration
Conservative and convenient dentistry is what our McCarl Dental Group, PC team offers. If you have minor tooth decay or damage, we can use a tooth-colored filling material to replace lost structure and restore the full form and function of your smile. If you want to find out more about conservative dental restoration options or schedule a visit, call our Greenbelt dental office today. We look forward to hearing from you and helping restore your smile with tooth-colored fillings.
Why Choose Tooth-Colored Fillings from McCarl Dental Group, PC?
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Looks like a natural tooth -
Aesthetically pleasing materials -
Preserve natural tooth structure
What Are Tooth-Colored Fillings Made From?
Tooth-colored fillings are crafted from composite resin, which is a mixture of plastics and glasses that are melded to mimic the natural look and feel of your teeth. Defective or decayed tooth structure is removed, and the site is disinfected and prepared before the material is applied directly to a damaged tooth in a putty-like form. Once in place, the composite is hardened with a curing light so that the tooth structure that has been lost due to decay or damage is reconstructed.
Tooth-Colored Fillings VS Amalgam
Traditionally, fillings were crafted from metal amalgams and were used for a hundred years. With many patients still living with amalgam restorations, their long-term effects can pose significant problems. The placement of an amalgam filling requires the removal of healthy tooth enamel to create wedges that hold the metal filling in place. This impacts the integrity of the remaining healthy tooth structure. After placement, the amalgam filling material expands and contracts differently than tooth enamel, so over time, bacteria are able to accumulate between the filling and tooth, leading to decay in many cases, as well as tooth breakage. In most cases, the amalgam fillings break away from the tooth entirely.
Conversely, composite resin filling materials create a solid, lasting bond with the tooth, and the placement of these restorations doesn’t require the removal of any healthy tooth structures.
How Are Tooth-Colored Fillings Placed?
Placing a composite resin filling is a simple process completed over the course of just one appointment. We begin by numbing the area around the damaged tooth. Then, we remove any damaged or decayed structures. Once the tooth is prepared, we apply the putty-like composite directly to the tooth. We carefully shape the composite in position to replace or repair damaged tooth structures. Then, a curing light is used to harden the composite material. We smooth and polish the treated tooth, leaving you with a healthy, natural-looking smile.
Caring For Tooth-Colored Fillings
Once your smile is repaired, you’ll need to take care to brush and floss each day. You should use a soft toothbrush and minimally abrasive toothpaste to avoid excess wear. Unlike porcelain, composite resin is an absorbent material much like your tooth enamel. That means that your tooth-colored filling can stain when you consume dark-colored foods and drinks or use tobacco. You should limit your consumption of staining foods and beverages and forego tobacco usage. We also recommend that you avoid crunching ice cubes, biting your fingernails, or using teeth to open packages. If you participate in sports or struggle with nighttime teeth grinding and clenching, you should use protective mouthguards as directed. During six-month dental exams and teeth cleanings, we’ll examine your filling to make sure it remains in place and is functional.