Tooth Colored Fillings – Newark, DE
Metal-Free Solutions for Treating Cavities
Despite the best efforts of patients to carefully brush and floss every day, most US adults will still experience at least one cavity in their lifetime. Luckily for patients of White Clay Dental Associates, we use tooth-colored, composite resin fillings to repair damage from tooth decay, cracks, and minor chips in teeth. Unlike the more traditional amalgam metal filling material, composite resin leaves patients with a natural looking and and feeling smile. In fact, you’ll likely forget which tooth was repaired. Contact our Newark dentist and team to find out more or schedule an appointment.
Why Choose White Clay Dental Associates for Tooth Colored Fillings?
- Seamless Enamel Shade Matching & Cosmetic Improvements
- Hi-Tech Curing Light & Diagnostic Technology
- Reduced Oral Sensitivity to Temperature
How Are Tooth Colored Fillings Placed?
Tooth-colored are placed in just one, short visit. We begin by numbing the area around the tooth to be treated. Then, we remove the damaged dental structure and apply an etchant material. We apply the putty-like resin onto the prepared teeth. Once the composite filling is shaped into place, we use a low heat curing light to harden the material. Finally, we polish and smooth the filling until it blends seamlessly into the natural enamel.
Amalgams vs. Tooth Colored Fillings
Traditionally, amalgam metals were used to repair tooth decay or minor tooth chips and cracks, but there are a few drawbacks to using this material to repair the teeth, including:
- Amalgam metals expand and contract at a much higher rate than tooth structures, and this may lead to additional dental damage
- The silver or dark colored filling materials are immediately noticeable within the smile
- Amalgam fillings are held in place by wedges carved into the sides of the tooth, which means healthy enamel have to be removed to provide support for the restoration
- Amalgam fillings weaken the healthy tooth and typically need to be removed and replaced within five to seven years
- Some patients who have allergies or sensitivities to metal experience adverse health effects or irritation caused by the metallic fillings
Benefits of Tooth Colored Fillings
There are many reasons we recommend tooth colored fillings to repair minor tooth decay or damage. Some of the benefits of this restorative solution include:
- Your final restoration will look and feel just like your natural tooth
- Because they seep into the smallest pits and crevices of the teeth, there is no need to remove healthy tooth structure to support a composite filling
- The seamless bond with natural tooth enamel actually strengthens the damaged tooth
- Composite fillings are less likely to break away from the tooth or allow bacteria and plaque to accumulate between the filling and tooth enamel