Tooth-Colored Fillings – Springfield, MO

Realistic Restorations for Beautiful Smiles

For years, there has been debate in the dental profession regarding the pros and cons of using silver amalgam fillings, which contain about 50% mercury, to restore cavities. While it has not been proven scientifically that mercury can harm you, we have chosen to not use silver amalgam/mercury fillings, as the technology involved with them is well over 100 years old. There are also several drawbacks to them, which can cause trouble for teeth with silver fillings.

Thankfully, we offer tooth-colored fillings, a way to restore teeth without compromising their beauty. This also eliminates the risk of mercury toxicity, making tooth-colored fillings an incredibly popular option. Keep reading to learn more about this aesthetically pleasing way to restore teeth.

What Are Tooth-Colored Fillings?

Tooth-colored fillings are made of composite resin that mimics the shade of your natural teeth. This special blend of plastics and silica can be used in a variety of ways to restore tooth decay and cavities. This unique material mimics the way your natural teeth reflect light and it’s relatively wear-resistant for strong function. It can even be used for cosmetic bonding, a way to fix slight imperfections like chipped teeth. Tooth-colored fillings work by bonding with your teeth to fill the area of decay and protect it in the future.

The Process for Getting Tooth-Colored Fillings

We use tooth-colored fillings for various reasons, but the most common is to fill tooth decay and cavities. First, we will ensure that your mouth is completely numb and comfortable. Then, we will remove any decay or damage from the affected area. After, the composite resin is placed directly into the tooth. Once it’s bonded, all that’s left to do is to level it out to match the rest of your smile. Finally, your dentist in Springfield will polish it to match your natural teeth, and then you can walk out of our office with a beautiful and strong tooth, free of decay.

The Benefits of Tooth-Colored Fillings

At our office, we prefer to provide our patients not only with a warm and cozy office atmosphere that helps them feel at ease, but also with the newest and best materials available for their dental work. In this case, those are bonded ceramic composite resins. Not only do they look natural, they provide a much better service and protection for your teeth, as they eliminate all the shortcomings of the old-fashioned silver fillings. They seal the teeth better, insulate against hot and cold better, and if they wear down, they can be repaired more easily. Many people who are undergoing a cosmetic improvement on their front teeth elect to have dark silver fillings in their back teeth replaced with the bonded ceramic resins to provide a total cosmetic improvement. Please call the office if you want to look into replacing any of your old, unsightly silver fillings.

Maintenance of Tooth-Colored Fillings

Another advantage of this treatment is that it doesn’t require any extra care or special routine. Simply brush and floss your teeth as you normally would, removing plaque and bacteria from your smile daily. Be sure to brush the areas with fillings, but they don’t require any additional time—just treat them like your natural teeth!

If you want to request an appointment, or if you have any questions, call our office today to speak with our friendly front desk staff.