Tooth Colored Dental Fillings
Tooth-colored fillings have become popular as an aesthetically pleasing and mercury-free alternative to traditional metal amalgam fillings. Made of porcelain or composite resin, these fillings require less preparation to place in the teeth and support the strength of treated teeth in the long term. Because of their natural appearance, tooth-colored fillings are especially common for restoring decayed or otherwise damaged teeth in the front of the mouth.
Tooth-colored fillings from our Tujunga dental fillings expert can be tinted to match the color of the teeth in which they are placed. As a result, tooth-colored fillings can be an excellent choice for patients who want to avoid potentially disfiguring metal fillings. The materials used in tooth-colored fillings bond well to the tooth, actually enhancing its strength instead of diminishing it as metal amalgam fillings can. As concerns have risen over mercury in amalgam fillings, tooth-colored fillings have emerged as possibly being a healthier alternative. Placement of tooth-colored fillings is simpler than placement of amalgam fillings because the material requires less removal of the natural tooth structure by our Tujunga tooth-colored fillings expert beforehand.
Tooth-Colored Dental Fillings Tujunga
Although placement of tooth-colored fillings requires less removal of tooth structure, the procedure tends to take slightly longer than for metal amalgam fillings. To begin, our expert in dental fillings in Tujunga X-rays the tooth to determine the location and extent of the damage being repaired. After drilling out the damaged area, our dentist cleans and dries the tooth. Finally, our dentist places the porcelain or composite resin in the drilled hole, cures the filling with a special light, and polishes it to a smooth finish.
Tooth-colored fillings take only one appointment to place and can last for years afterward. By brushing and flossing every day and visiting our expert in tooth-colored fillings in Tujunga for check-ups as often as recommended, patients can help their new fillings last longer. Limiting the consumption of heavily colored foods and drinks can help keep tooth-colored fillings from getting stained. To learn more about tooth-colored fillings and their advantages, patients can schedule a consultation with our cosmetic dentist in Tujunga.