Tooth-Colored Fillings
Dental health is an essential aspect of your life. Tooth-colored fillings are part of dental health. Almost 100 million Americans never step into a dentist’s office each year. Regular visits can help prevent a wide range of conditions. But when you need the best, the most comprehensive dental services can be found at Fair Lakes Family and Cosmetic Dentistry.
You can always expect a professional and friendly environment when visiting our office. One service you might find yourself visiting our office for is fillings.
What are fillings?
A filling is a way to restore or repair a tooth damaged by decay. This common dental procedure helps repair teeth that are broken or cracked, tooth decay, and worn down teeth (e.g., tooth grinding, nail-biting, using teeth to open things). The steps involved in getting a filling include:
- Removing the decayed part of the tooth
- Cleaning the affected area
- Filling the cleaned out cavity with a filling material
By closing off spaces where bacteria can enter, the filling helps prevent further decay.
Filling Types
When it comes to fillings, you have a variety of options to choose from: gold, amalgam (silver), tooth-colored as well as ceramics (porcelain). Each of these offers a variety of advantages to the patient.
Consultation
During your consultation, we will help you determine which material fits your budget and needs. A few of the deciding factors include:
- Cost – how much does each filling material cost?
- Medical history – medical issues that might influence certain materials being used
- Cavity location – how much chewing will take place on the filled tooth?
- Aesthetics – how will it look?
- Durability – placement of filling in relation to how it will be used on a daily basis
Advantages of Choosing Tooth-Colored Fillings
A common filling material chosen by many patients is tooth-colored. Choosing a tooth-colored filling immediately has the benefit of blending in and matching the shade of your own teeth. This is especially important if you have fillings towards the front of your mouth. Using this material provides more strength, as it chemically bonds to the tooth after application. Tooth-colored fillings, also called composites, can be used as a bonding material to repair chipped teeth as well.
Schedule a routine exam with Fair lakes Family and Cosmetic Dentistry today. Our team of dental professionals is highly skilled in assessing your oral and overall health and is happy to answer any questions you may have about tooth-colored fillings. You never know what a dentist can tell. Visit us online or call 703-273-4505