White Tooth Colored Fillings
Dentist Kent Washington
Replace your metal-colored fillings with tooth-colored or “white” fillings as one way to enhance the aesthetics of your smile. In this safe process, one of our dentists will remove any decay from your tooth, remove the metal or amalgam filling, and then replace it with a tooth-colored filling. Composite fillings, commonly referred to as tooth-colored fillings, are dental restorations made to look discrete and natural. Compared to amalgam fillings, which are darker and are easier for others to notice, they look more natural and fit in well with the teeth. The new filling can withstand the stresses in your mouth from prolonged biting and chewing since it is constructed of a material that is extremely strong.
Your teeth will look more natural overall and you’ll be able to grin without showing any signs of a metallic gleam as a result. As dentists, we will constantly advise you to take good care of your teeth so you don’t experience tooth decay in the first place. We think that prevention is always preferable than treatment. If you do have decay and require a filling, white fillings are a good option that is both aesthetically pleasing and practical.
Patients frequently develop tooth decay as a result of inadequate oral hygiene at home, improper eating habits, or a genetic predisposition to multiple cavities. The dental professional thoroughly examines the patient’s medical history and daily activities before developing a treatment plan in an effort to identify any underlying problems, such as medical conditions that may be the cause of increased decay formation. A proper course of treatment is selected, including the dental materials best suited to each patient’s particular needs, based on the information gathered.
All dental practitioners adhere to a few fundamental criteria for treating cavities, even though each method differs slightly from the others.
- Local anaesthetic is used to put the patient to sleep during the process, such as Carbocaine for quick procedures, Lidocaine for longer sessions, and Marcaine for many fillings. For the course of the procedure, patients experiencing anxiety may be given nitrous oxide (laughing gas). Only in extreme circumstances is the patient given IV sedation or general anesthesia, and they may be sent to a dental facility that is more appropriate for their needs, such a hospital.
- The tooth is protected and kept dry during the treatment with a latex sheet that is placed over the area to be treated. Additionally, it keeps the patient comfortable by preventing debris from entering the mouth area. A bite block is utilized for many fillings when the procedure may take a long time and will help the patient keep their mouth open comfortably without putting any strain on their jaw muscles.
- The color of composite fillings is chosen to closely resemble the appearance of the dentition around them.
- High-speed handpieces, slow-speed handpieces, lasers, or a mix of all three are used to remove the decay. To get rid of any remaining bacteria and make a porous layer for adhesive purposes, the prepared surface may be appropriately etched. Using hand devices, resin or amalgam material is applied in tiny amounts. After that, the biting surface is examined and modified as appropriate.
To cure cavities and increase the longevity of natural teeth, fillings must be placed. As technology advances, new techniques are created to help the patients and guarantee their good oral health for life.
Tooth Colored Filling FAQs
Composite fillings, commonly referred to as tooth-colored fillings, are dental restorations made to look discrete and natural. Compared to amalgam fillings, which are darker and are easier for others to notice, they look more natural and fit in well with the teeth. The new filling can withstand the stresses in your mouth from prolonged biting and chewing since it is constructed of a material that is extremely strong.
If the cavity isn’t filled, it will keep growing and eventually invade your nerve canal if it isn’t fixed. This could cause terrible pain. However, it can also result in serious issues like infection or abscess. It may also be necessary to treat cracked teeth or replace outdated fillings. Avoiding a painful and expensive root canal is the main benefit of having your cavity treated as soon as possible.
You can be a candidate for a tooth-colored filling if you have a cavity, a damaged tooth, or a decayed filling. To determine whether composites are the best option for you, schedule a dental consultation.
During your visit, a local anesthetic will be applied close to the filling site to numb your gums and teeth. The decayed or damaged part of your teeth will be removed once the area has become numb in order to make way for the new tooth-colored filling. A hand-held lamp will be used to cure a resin over the region for less than a minute. The treatment will subsequently be finished by shaping and polishing the new filling.
Your dentist uses light to cure composite fillings. After your appointment, you should be able to resume your regular activities and oral care. In the days after treatment, it’s usual for treated teeth to feel some sensitivity to heat and cold. However, sensitivity that lasts more than a week should be addressed to your dentist.
