Tooth-Colored Fillings – South Window, CT
Seamless Cavity Repair
Dental cavities are one of the most common conditions. According to one estimate, more than 90% of people develop a
cavity at some point in their life! Dr. Curcio and our South Windsor team would like to help you prevent dental
decay, but if you ever do develop a cavity, we may be able to seamlessly repair it with a beautiful and strong
tooth-colored filling. Continue reading below to learn more about this restorative treatment.
Why Choose South Windsor for Tooth-Colored Fillings?
What Are Tooth-Colored Fillings?
The purpose of a filling is to fill in a cavity and prevent it from worsening. Fillings can fortify a tooth, reduce dental sensitivity, and reduce the risk of severe oral health problems in the future.
Tooth-colored fillings are made of a tooth-colored composite resin, which Dr. Curcio carefully places into a cavity. The resin is a mix of ultra-fine plastic and glass particles; many people like these fillings because of their metal-free nature.
Additionally, the color of the resin can be shade-matched to blend in with your unique dentition, so you will not have to worry about any noticeable dark spots in your smile.
The Process of Getting a Tooth-Colored Filling
The process of placing a tooth-colored filling is quick and easy. First, we may make you comfortable by administering local anesthesia. Then, we prepare the tooth by removing decayed tissue from inside the cavity. Once the resin is inserted, we harden it in a matter of seconds by using a special curing light. To finish, we shape and polish the filling so it will not interfere with your bite or feel strange in your mouth. Fillings can be placed in a single appointment, which usually takes one hour or less.
The Benefits of Tooth-Colored Fillings
In the past, fillings were always made of a metal-based material known as silver amalgam. Tooth-colored fillings have some clear advantages over their old-fashioned counterparts:
- Tooth-colored fillings are almost unnoticeable in the mouth. They also do not stain nearby enamel like amalgam fillings.
- Less tooth preparation. Whereas amalgam fillings simply sit inside a cavity, tooth-colored fillings bond with the surrounding dentition. This means less tooth preparation is required, and a secure seal is formed that can prevent leakage.
- Reduced sensitivity. Metal fillings can conduct temperatures into a tooth’s interior layers, which can cause sensitivity. Tooth-colored fillings do not do that.
- Lower risk of damage. Metal fillings may expand and contract in response to temperature changes, which can place pressure on the surrounding dental structure. Tooth-colored fillings do not have this problem.
- No metal. Some patients are concerned about the presence of mercury in amalgam fillings. Tooth-colored fillings are completely metal-free and mercury-free.