Tooth decay is one of the most common oral health problems. In fact, more than 90% of all adults in the United States have had at least one cavity at some point. Most people would rather not advertise the fact that they once had a cavity, which is why, at Mios Dental, we offer tooth-colored fillings in Carrollton. In the past, fillings were made of silver or other metals, which could cause all sorts of adverse oral health consequences. Nowadays, we use a discreet material that blends in with your smile. You can talk and laugh with confidence knowing that no one will notice that you once suffered from dental damage. Keep reading below to learn more about how tooth-colored fillings can benefit you.
For several decades, fillings were made of amalgam, which is a mix of various metals like copper, tin, silver, and even mercury. Today, dentists like Dr. Huy Le use more modern techniques to address cavities. Tooth-colored fillings are made of a completely metal-free substance called composite resin. Made from finely ground glass and plastic, this putty-like material is chemically bonded to your tooth to repair it and protect it from further decay. It can also be customized to mimic the color of your enamel so that onlookers won’t even notice it’s there.
In addition to being more aesthetically pleasing, tooth-colored fillings offer several other benefits. Some of them include:
The tooth-colored filling procedure is usually painless, thanks to local anesthetic. Depending on how many cavities you have, it can be completed in about an hour.
After numbing your mouth, Dr. Le will remove the decayed section of your enamel and thoroughly sanitize the tooth. Using a shade guide, he’ll select the color of composite resin that most closely matches the rest of your tooth. The resin is applied to your tooth and then hardened in just a few seconds with an ultraviolet curing light. Once our team is done making any final adjustments, you’ll be ready to enjoy your newly healed smile!
At Mios Dental, we’re dedicated to providing all of our patients with quality preventive care. Our goal is to spot potential oral health problems before they require treatment like fillings. For any further questions, or to schedule your routine checkup and cleaning, contact our office today!