Why So Many People Switch To Tooth Colored Fillings
Cavities develop in the majority of patients at some point, but the approach shouldn't have to leave a silver mark on your smile. read more Tooth colored fillings provide a contemporary solution to conventional metal amalgam fillings — blending with the authentic shade of your tooth so precisely that even a careful observer can't tell a restoration was ever placed.
At ClearWave Dental & Aesthetics, our team holds that necessary dental work should never come at the cost of how your teeth looks. Treating patients from across Coral Springs, FL, our dentists apply high-quality composite resin materials for treating damaged areas using a process that looks natural from the very first appointment.
Maybe you've noticed a small cavity on a molar, or you'd like to update old silver fillings which have started look obvious, tooth colored fillings could be exactly the right fit. Read on to learn what you need to understand ahead of your your first visit.
What Are Tooth Colored Fillings?
Tooth colored fillings — known clinically as composite fillings or tooth-matched composite restorations — are a class of restorative material made from a blend of microscopic glass granules and acrylic-based resin. Unlike traditional amalgam fillings, that are made with a mercury alloy, tooth colored fillings attach securely to your existing tooth enamel. This adhesion method results in less natural tooth needing to be drilled away during preparation.
This filling material gets placed in multiple coats, each one hardened instantly with the help of a special blue light. After each layer is set, your clinician shapes and polishes the material to the point where it matches the natural contours of your tooth with great accuracy. The final product is a restoration that blends so naturally it appears like part of your original tooth.
On top of appearance, tooth colored fillings also perform impressively from a durability angle. Because the composite resin adheres molecularly to the tooth, the material works to reinforce the remaining tooth material. Modern composite blends are significantly more wear-resistant than older formulas, which makes them a practical option for both front and back teeth.
The Main Benefits of Tooth Colored Fillings
- Natural Aesthetics: The composite resin is precisely tinted to your individual tooth shade, making the restoration virtually undetectable in everyday lighting.
- Conservative Tooth Removal: Because composite adheres tightly to enamel, your dentist can limit eliminate the decayed area, saving more your natural enamel.
- Mercury-Free Materials: Compared to amalgam fillings, tooth colored fillings have zero mercury — a major advantage for individuals who want metal-free dental materials.
- Wide-Ranging Utility: Tooth colored fillings work on cavities on back molars equally well, while also being able to repair cracks and damaged enamel.
- Efficient Setting Time: Each layer of composite sets in a matter of seconds under the LED light, meaning your filling can be finished by the time you walk out appointment.
- Temperature Sensitivity Close To Natural Teeth: Composite resin behaves in a way that aligns with your own tooth structure, reducing the risk of stress fractures developing over years.
- Easy to Repair: If a tooth colored filling develops a crack eventually, a dentist can typically be repaired without having to entirely removing the filling — which saves you time and money.
- Immediate Function: Nearly everyone can eat without restriction soon after the procedure, as composite sets hard before you go home.
The Tooth Colored Fillings Process: Step by Step
- Comprehensive Exam and Diagnosis — Before any treatment, a provider assesses the cavity using advanced imaging along with a clinical check. That evaluation ensures confirm the extent of the decay while confirming that a tooth colored filling is the ideal approach.
- Shade Selection — With the help of a dental shade guide, our team picks the composite resin shade that most closely matches your surrounding teeth. This step makes sure the result looks natural into your teeth.
- Anesthesia and Getting Comfortable — Local anesthesia is placed around the tooth ensuring you experience little to no sensation throughout treatment. A large number of individuals are surprised that treatment is manageable current dentistry really is.
- Cavity Preparation and Tooth Preparation — The decayed tooth material is precisely drilled away using specialized instruments or occasionally using a laser. Since the bonding material adheres tightly, just the damaged portion needs to be cleared — natural tooth is preserved.
- Layering the Resin — The tooth-matched material is built up through careful layers. Between each layer, a high-intensity curing light hardens each coat rapidly. Layering the composite creates optimal bond quality while delivering a precise final contour.
- Shaping, Contouring, and Polishing — After every the material is in, your dentist contours and smooths the composite so it mirrors your tooth's original surface texture. An occlusal check is done ensuring everything feels even and comfortable.
- Final Review and Care Recommendations — At the close of the visit, our team walks you through aftercare tips in the period after the procedure. Any sensitivity you might feel tends to be temporary and minor.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Tooth Colored Fillings?
Tooth colored fillings are a great choice for a large group of individuals. People dealing with any size of cavity — on a a back molar or somewhere in between — is typically a excellent candidate. People who strongly desire an aesthetics-first philosophy about dental care also tend to seek out composite options. Beyond newly discovered cavities, tooth colored fillings are also ideal for individuals looking to upgrade worn metal fillings which have started to degrade or have just aged poorly.
Kids and older patients can benefit from tooth colored fillings, though the optimal approach depends on considerations including cavity size, tooth location, as well as your broader dental picture. Those dealing with very large cavities, heavily broken teeth, or molars that absorb intense biting force might instead be guided toward a dental crown rather than a standard filling. The clinician is always ready to walk you through all choices ensuring you're comfortable and confident ahead of any procedure.
Keep in mind that individuals who have significant gingivitis could require periodontal treatment first, as healthy gums are critical for effective restorations. At your consultation, the professionals at ClearWave Dental & Aesthetics carefully evaluate your full dental health before giving any treatment suggestions.
Tooth Colored Fillings Frequently Asked Questions
How long does getting a tooth colored filling take?One tooth colored filling takes within one appointment including prep. Multiple fillings or instances where more than one teeth need treatment may take more time, and your clinician will give you an accurate time frame during the consultation.
Do tooth colored fillings cause pain?A local anesthetic gets placed ahead of the procedure, so most patients feel nothing throughout the procedure. Once the numbing fades, a degree of tooth sensitivity near the filling is normal which usually fades within a day or two. Ibuprofen or acetaminophen is usually enough if sensitivity occurs.
How long do tooth colored fillings last?Given good oral hygiene, tooth colored fillings can last between 7 and 15 years — and in some cases significantly longer based on factors like chewing patterns, oral hygiene, the position of the filling in the dental arch. Regular dental visits with our team let our providers track each filling's catch any problems early.
Are tooth colored fillings an insured procedure?Many dental insurance plans provide coverage for tooth colored fillings at least partially, however the amount can vary depending on the policy and which location. Some plans may cover composite fillings equally as amalgam, though some could ask for additional cost for the aesthetic upgrade. Our front office team confirm your benefits before treatment.
Is it possible to swap out my silver silver fillings with tooth colored fillings?Many individuals opt to swap out their old silver fillings with composite for combined cosmetic and and structural purposes. When an existing amalgam filling has cracked, begun to leak, or is simply visually outdated, replacing it with a tooth colored alternative is a well-established treatment. A quick evaluation helps confirm if the old amalgam is ready for replacement.
Tooth Colored Fillings for Local Patients
Coral Springs, FL attracts a wide mix of residents, working adults, and long-time locals, a good portion of whom make the drive to ClearWave Dental & Aesthetics from neighborhoods including Heron Bay and Forest Hills. Those driving in from along Sample Road love that we're conveniently accessible and offers same-week scheduling for new and returning patients. Local spots like Coral Square Mall and the Coral Springs Medical Center define an area our practice is honored to serve.
Whether you're based around the Sportsplex neighborhood or on Atlantic Boulevard, you're just minutes from receiving the dental work you've been meaning to schedule. Our team at ClearWave Dental & Aesthetics works hard at making every visit as easy and stress-free as possible, from the moment you walk in to checkout. These tooth-matched restorations represent just one of the many services through which we care for the Coral Springs community maintain healthy teeth.
Reserve Your Tooth Colored Fillings Consultation This Week
It's no longer necessary to live with a cavity or teeth showing dark metal fillings when a quick and aesthetically superior alternative exists. At ClearWave Dental & Aesthetics stands prepared to assist you get the attention you need with tooth colored fillings that look great over the long term. Contact us to book your consultation — our team is here to answer your questions and help you get on your way to a fully restored, natural-looking smile.
ClearWave Dental & Aesthetics | 8894 Royal Palm Boulevard | Coral Springs FL 33065 | (954) 345-5200