Read on to learn how these fillings can help give you a flawless smile.
What Are Tooth-Colored Fillings?
Tooth-colored fillings, or composite resin fillings, are made of safe materials including a resin-based matrix and silica. This unique combination creates a highly durable material that looks and feels very much like natural teeth. It’s the same material in tooth bonding.
The process starts with removal of the decayed portion of your tooth. We apply a powerful bonding agent to your tooth and then paint the composite resin in layers, building it up and shaping it to completely fill in the empty area. We use a curing light that hardens the resin and ensures it’s permanently bonded to your tooth.
Benefits of Tooth-Colored Fillings
When choosing a filling material, tooth-colored fillings offer several advantages:
- Natural Appearance: These fillings match the color of your teeth, making them discreet and impossible to see when you smile.
- Durability: Composite resin is strong, just like your natural teeth, so it can stand up to chewing and eating without incurring any damage. This makes it a great option for small and large cavities alike.
- Less Drilling: Tooth-colored fillings bond directly to your tooth, meaning we need to remove less of your natural tooth structure than with metal fillings.
- Mercury-Free: Unlike traditional amalgam fillings, tooth-colored fillings are mercury-free. Many leading experts believe that makes them safer for long-term health. In fact, the FDA recommends against dental amalgam for high-risk groups.
Another potential benefit is smile upgrading. If you have a mouth full of metal fillings from earlier in your life, we can replace all your old fillings with white ones that enhance your smile instead of detracting from it.
Tooth-Colored Fillings in McLean, VA
If you’re considering tooth-colored fillings to restore your smile, Galleria Dental Aesthetics is here to help. Call us at 703-448-1020 to book an appointment in our office in McLean.