Tooth Colored Fillings
Take care of cavities and restore dental health with tooth colored fillings.
Dental fillings, or tooth colored fillings, are used when there are cavities in the teeth or damage on the teeth that usually doesn’t require a crown. This is the first line of defense to keep the tooth as strong as possible before other measures are used, such as a crown or root canal. Almost anyone can have fillings done, even children, as the method has become safer in recent years. Tooth colored fillings are a way for the patient to have teeth that are of the same natural shade instead of the dentist using a silver amalgam filling. This will create a look in the mouth that is as natural as possible.
The process for the fillings isn’t lengthy and can usually be done in one office visit. If there are several teeth that need to be filled, then multiple appointments will likely be made. If the patient is a child, then the dentist will often use some kind of nitrous oxide to help the child relax before the procedure begins. This is so that the child doesn’t feel the needle for the anesthetic for the gums. For adults, the procedure will usually begin with the dentist injecting an anesthetic into the gums near the tooth that will be filled.
“When my daughter needed her first filling, I wanted to make sure she wasn’t stuck with big silver fillings like I have. I was relieved when Dr. Alaswad explained that they can do tooth colored fillings instead of silver allowing my daughter’s smile to look natural and beautiful.”
– Shelly
With safer and more modern techniques, dentists are now able to use tooth colored fillings instead of silver amalgam fillings on cavities or damages that don’t require a crown. Almost anyone can have tooth colored fillings done, even children and it helps keep your teeth looking natural.
“My daughter was a little nervous for her first filling, but Dr. Alaswad was great. He took the time to explain the procedure and how the filling was going to be the same color as her teeth and that no one would notice it was there.”
Dr. Alaswad takes the time to color match the filling to the rest of the teeth so it doesn’t stand out. “He made sure we were comfortable and happy during my daughter’s first filling. I would definitely recommend Dr. Alaswad.”
When the area is numb, the dentist will drill the cavity from the tooth. This will leave a hole in the tooth for the filling to be placed. A block is sometimes placed in the mouth to help keep it open so that the patient can be as relaxed as possible. There will be a good bit of noise involved from the drill, but there shouldn’t be any pain. If there is any pain felt, then the dentist can inject more anesthetic.
When the filling is being placed, the dentist will start matching the color before the material is set. The material for the filling is placed where the cavity was located, and the filling is set with a special light. This is called curing. The material is either squirted into the tooth or a small amount is placed in the area with a dental device and packed down until it has been built to look like a normal tooth. After the filling is placed, the patient will bite on a piece of carbon paper to make sure the filling is at the right height with the rest of the teeth.