Tooth Colored Fillings
For some, the appearance of standard silver amalgam fillings is unattractive. They are noticeable when you smile and can cause your teeth to appear discolored.
If you need a filling but don’t want it to be visible, tooth-colored composite fillings are appealing alternatives. Composites can also be used for minor reshaping of chipped teeth or to fill small gaps between teeth to give you a more even, appealing smile.
What Is a Composite Filling?
Composite fillings are usually formed using a mixture of resins, fillers, and colorants, which are applied to the tooth in layers and “cured." Unlike silver amalgam fillings, composites can be made to match the color of your natural teeth, giving you a more seamless-looking filling than amalgam fillings.
Since the composite bonds directly to your tooth, these fillings require less removal of the healthy tooth, which leaves more remaining tooth structure intact. Composite fillings are also less susceptible to cracking and chipping due to temperature changes in your mouth than amalgam fillings.
How Is a Composite Filling Placed?
To place a composite filling, the dentist will numb the area if necessary and remove any decay. The remaining tooth structure is then etched to create a rough surface for the composite to bond to.
The dentist will match the color of your natural tooth and mix up a composite that is then applied in layers with curing between each layer. Once built up, the filling will be shaped to contour to your bite and look natural and then polished smooth.
For areas needing larger fillings, a semi-direct or indirect filling may be used. These consist of composite that is either built up inside the mouth and then removed for curing or a filling that is manufactured outside of the mouth and cured. This allows for stronger curing and a more sturdy composite filling. Once the filling is cured, it is bonded to your natural tooth.
Why Choose Composite?
While composite fillings are usually more expensive than silver amalgam fillings, they offer a better esthetic than the metal fillings. They can also act more like a natural tooth, helping to avoid fractures due to uneven stress when biting.
Contact our office today to make an appointment or to ask your questions about tooth-colored composite fillings.
Highly Recommended
Today was my first visit at Southampton Dental. I'm 57 and I have not been to the dentist in a while and I knew I had some major issues to take care of. I was hesitant to go to the dentist because I was actually embarrassed that it had been so long since I had been to a dentist. Dr. Rochvarg and Southampton Dental was highly recommended by another dental professional I know. I couldn't be happier with the care and education I received today from Dr. Rochvarg and Alison, the dental hygienist. They made me feel at ease right away and made me very comfortable about my decision to get in to see a dentist. If you are hesitant to see a dentist because it's been a while and want to try someone who will totally make you feel at ease regardless of how long it may have been since your last dental visit, I highly recommend Southampton Dental. They gave me a prioritized treatment plan that was fully explained and simplified. Also, the receptionist and the scheduler, Lauren, is extremely competent, personable and pleasant, like everyone I met at Southampton Dental.
-Kevin M.
Meet Our Doctor:
Dr. Rahool Patel
Dr. Rahool Patel holds a DDS degree with Honors from the New York University, New York. He completed a one-year residency program at Monmouth Medical Center, Long Branch, NJ, where his research project on TMD (Temporomandibular Joint Disorder) was awarded first place. He has been practicing general dentistry for over a decade.
He stays up-to-date with the latest advancements in dental technology, and his emphasis on patient comfort enables him to provide you with the best quality of dental care in the field. Dr. Patel has a wide range of experience in different areas of dentistry, ...