Tooth-Colored Fillings Richardson

What are Tooth-Colored Fillings?

If you have a tooth that’s developed decay, it’s important to have it filled to preserve its functionality and contain the damage to keep it from spreading. In the past, this was done using metallic mixtures that contained alloys like mercury, silver, tin, and copper, which can be toxic when ingested by humans. Fortunately, more recent advancements in dental materials have led to a safer alternative with tooth-colored fillings. Now, our dentists use color-matched composite resin to mend your pearly white more discreetly so that you know your smile won’t suffer.

The Process of Getting a Tooth-Colored Filling

Typically, it only takes a single, hour-long appointment to mend your cavity by filling it with composite resin. The step-by-step process usually includes:

• Applying a topical anesthetic to numb the area before we begin working.
• Using specialized tools to remove decayed dental structure.
• Rinsing and sanitizing your tooth to remove harmful bacteria.
• Applying the tooth-colored resin in layers until the lost enamel is restored.
• Hardening the resin in place with an ultraviolet curing light, which only takes a few seconds.
• Sculpting, shaping, or trimming any excess material to ensure your restoration is molded to the perfect shape.
• Polishing it for a gleaming finish.

The Benefits of Tooth-Colored Fillings

When you get tooth-colored fillings in Richardson, you’ll enjoy several benefits, including:

• A natural-looking restoration so no one will ever know you had a cavity to begin with.
• You preserve more of your natural tooth because, unlike amalgam fillings, the material bonds directly with your enamel.
• Metal expands and contracts with temperature fluctuations which can cause sensitivity. You won’t experience this with composite resin fillings.
• A long-lasting filling that may not require repair or replacement for 10+ years if cared for properly.