Tooth Colored Fillings

Cosmetic Dentistry : Tooth Colored Fillings aesthetically pleasing

The way in which teeth are treated for defects and cavities has evolved very quickly, from early dental practices to metal fillings for teeth, and beyond. Today the treatment of tooth decay and damage incorporates cosmetic appliances and, in general, a more aesthetically pleasing approach. Happily, modern tooth colored fillings are mercury-free, and are in many cases impossible to distinguish from the natural surface of the patient’s tooth.

Increasingly, patients have taken an interest in tooth-colored fillings before they even arrive in the dentist’s chair. Patients are justifiably concerned about their dental work having an effect on their appearance during laughter or simply when they are smiling.

Advantages of Composite fillings

Composite fillings offer a number of advantages other than appearance. Naturally, the absence of potentially toxic mercury in non metal fillings is a great comfort to many patients. Additionally, due to the better adhesive properties of the composite, they also require less of the tooth to be removed in order to make room for the filling in the first place.

The process of preparing the tooth for tooth colored fillings usually requires just one visit to the dentist’s office. It is slightly longer than the process of applying an old fashioned filling because the surface upon which the filling will be applied must be completely dry, without trace of saliva or moisture. Adhesive is next applied, and several layers of the composite material are added immediately after, at which point the tooth is filled. Next, however, a “curing” process chemically bonds the materials to the tooth with the aid of a special light.

In the days just after the application of a filling, some patients will experience sensitivity to hot and cold. If sensitivity shows no sign of abating after a few days, these patients should notify us.

Inlays and Onlays

Inlays and Onlays are a different type of aesthetically pleasing, tooth-colored application for teeth that are badly decayed, in need of large fillings, or receive more than their share of pressure when chewing. The application requires two visits to a center for cosmetic dentistry in San Diego: one to remove the decay, prepare the tooth, and make an impression. By the second visit, the impression will have been turned into an inlay or onlay, which can be applied to the previously prepared tooth.

Checking on your composite fillings, inlays, or onlays with regular dental visits is critical. All dental work can become loose or eventually sit incorrectly, making the tooth vulnerable to bacterial buildup. Regular checkups let the dentist fix or replace the problem before any noticeable problems arise.

Woodland Dental Group is reachable by phone at (760) 745-1100 or through their website’s contact page