What are tooth colored filling services?
At Dental Designs of Maryland with locations in White Marsh, MD, Perry Hall, MD, and Hanover, MD, we take the health and wellness of our patients very seriously. Our recommendation to all of our patients to maintain twice yearly preventative dental appointments ensures that problems with teeth and bone are caught early when they can be repaired with more conservative treatments. These visits are also crucial in the prevention and early detection of gum disease. When these dental issues are caught at an early stage, we can provide non-invasive and often single appointment solutions that can restore the health and appearance of your smile. One of the most common treatments we perform are tooth colored filling services. To learn more about our mercury-free tooth colored fillings, or to schedule your new patient exam, call your nearest Dental Designs of Maryland office using the appropriate phone number in the menu!
Dental Fillings
When a tooth experiences fracture or decay, a cavity forms that needs to be repaired in order to prevent further damage to the tooth. Traditionally dentists have used metal fillings called amalgam, which were often chosen for their ease of placement and flexibility in usage. However most patients do not like the look or idea of having metal in their mouth, and it certainly did nothing for ones smile! In fact, many patients feel self-conscious about their silver fillings when they smile. Dental Designs of Maryland is proud to only place attractive tooth colored fillings called composite resin fillings. These fillings are strong, durable, and come in a variety of shades that mimic teeth’s natural enamel color. Once a composite resin filling is placed, no one except your dentist will be able to ever tell that you have a filling in your smile. Resin composite fillings are a common and simple single appointment procedure that have a multitude of applications, including:
- Filling a decayed area of tooth to restore function
- Filling a broken or fractured tooth to ensure its strength
- Filling in eroded areas of tooth root from bruxism or clenching
Top Benefits of Tooth Colored Fillings
Both doctors and patients love tooth colored fillings. They are often quick and easy to place and disappear into your smile when properly color matched. However there are even more reasons that tooth colored fillings benefit our patients:
- Tooth colored fillings are temperature resistant and do not expand and contract with changes in temperature. This means your teeth are safer from fracture line and craze lines that could cause breakage and sensitivity in the long term.
- Tooth colored fillings are chemically bonded onto the tooth which supports the natural strength of enamel and dentin. Once bonded, composite resin fillings restore the original strength and functionality of the tooth. The chemical reaction responsible for this also means that much less tooth structure has to be removed in order for a resin filling to hold, which allows us to be more conservative and leave more of your natural tooth intact.
How Is A Tooth Colored Filling Placed?
Resin composite fillings are one of the most common procedures at Dental Designs of Maryland, and all of our doctors are highly experienced and proficient at placing them. Fillings are a simple, in-office procedure that is done under local anesthesia. During the procedure a hand piece is used to remove decay or rough edges surrounding the area to be filled. A series of etchants and bonds are brushed onto the tooth surface, and allowed to cure. Then the soft putty-like resin is applied layer by layer into the prepared cavity and cured with a special light. The tooth is then adjusted to mimic the natural shape and contour of your tooth, and polished for smoothness.
How Will I Feel After the Tooth Colored Filling Procedure?
A tooth colored filling is often an easy one appointment procedure using only local anesthesia. As such, it is normal to experience slight sensitivity to chewing, temperature, and taste for several days after the procedure. These sensations are typically mild and wear off within one to two weeks at most. Maintenance of these resin fillings is important as well, and we encourage all patients to be brushing twice a day, flossing once a day, and using mouthwash. Maintaining regular cleanings and check-ups, every 6 months unless instructed otherwise is also important in keeping your resin restorations healthy. With proper maintenance, tooth colored fillings can last for up to ten years, sometimes longer before needing to be replaced. At Dental Designs of Maryland with locations in White Marsh, MD, Perry Hall, MD and Hanover, MD, our goal is to provide Baltimore’s best comprehensive, family, cosmetic, and implant dental services. We strive to deliver the best and most compassionate dental care for each and every one of our valued patients. If you would like to learn more about tooth colored fillings, or make an appointment as a new patient, we invite you to click on the Contact Us button above and give our office a call today!