Why So Many Patients Are Choosing Tooth Colored Fillings
Cavities happen to almost everyone at some point, yet the approach shouldn't have to leave a gray spot on your smile. Tooth colored fillings provide a contemporary option to conventional metal amalgam fillings — replicating the true shade of your tooth so well that virtually no one won't notice any dental work was done.
At ClearWave Dental & Aesthetics, our philosophy is that restorative dental work should never come at the cost of how your smile looks. Serving individuals all over Coral Springs, FL, we use high-quality composite resin materials for treating cavities through a method that restores function from day one.
If you're dealing with a tiny cavity on a visible tooth, or you'd like to swap out outdated silver fillings which have begun to show, tooth colored fillings may be precisely what you need. Keep reading to discover what you need to understand prior to scheduling a consultation.
What Is the Deal With Tooth Colored Fillings?
Tooth colored fillings — sometimes referred to as composite fillings or tooth-matched composite restorations — are a type of restorative material made from a mixture of fine glass fibers and plastic resin. Unlike traditional amalgam fillings, that are made with a mercury alloy, tooth colored fillings bond directly to your existing tooth structure. This adhesion method means less healthy enamel needing to be drilled away during preparation.
The material is layered in successive layers, each coat cured rapidly through the use of a curing blue light. After each layer has cured, your read more provider contours and finishes the composite until it replicates the exact shape of your tooth precisely. The final product is a filling so seamlessly integrated it appears like your tooth was never damaged.
On top of appearance, tooth colored fillings also perform quite effectively from a mechanical perspective. Given that the composite resin bonds chemically to the tooth, it actually supports reinforce the surrounding natural tooth structure. Today's composite blends are considerably more long-lasting than previous versions, rendering them an effective option for visible and chewing teeth.
The Key Benefits of Tooth Colored Fillings
- Invisible Appearance: The composite resin is shade-matched to the exact tooth shade, making the restoration impossible to spot under standard lighting.
- Minimal Tooth Loss: Given that composite resin adheres tightly to enamel, the provider is able to clear the compromised portion, preserving more your healthy tooth structure.
- No Mercury Materials: Unlike amalgam fillings, tooth colored fillings have zero heavy metals — a key benefit for patients who prefer biocompatible dental care.
- Wide-Ranging Application: Tooth colored fillings work on cavities on front teeth with equal effectiveness, while also being able to restore cracks and damaged surfaces.
- Quick Curing: Every coat of composite sets in seconds under our dental light, so the restoration can be finished before you leave appointment.
- Thermal Expansion Close To Natural Teeth: Tooth-colored composite behaves at a rate that matches natural enamel, minimizing the chance of micro-cracks over time.
- Repairable if Damaged: If a tooth colored filling becomes damaged eventually, our team can often be repaired without having to entirely redoing the treatment — a real advantage and expense.
- Immediate Function: Nearly everyone are able to chew comfortably soon after the appointment, because composite cures completely during the visit.
The Tooth Colored Fillings Treatment: What to Expect
- Comprehensive Exam and Cavity Identification — At the start of treatment, our clinician evaluates the area of concern using radiographs and a clinical check. This helps confirm the extent of the damage and verify that a tooth colored filling is the appropriate solution.
- Color Matching — Through a dental shade guide, your dentist picks the composite resin shade that most closely matches your surrounding enamel shade. This step makes sure the restoration looks natural with your smile.
- Local Anesthetic and Comfort Preparation — Numbing medication is applied near the treatment site so the procedure remains virtually no discomfort while we work. Many patients find themselves amazed that treatment is manageable modern dental dentistry really is.
- Decay Removal and Tooth Preparation — Any damaged tooth material is carefully removed via specialized instruments or occasionally using a laser. Because composite adheres tightly, just the decayed portion must be cleared — natural tooth stays intact.
- Composite Application — The composite resin is applied in multiple layers. After every layer, an LED curing light instantly sets each coat in just seconds. The incremental technique builds in superior strength producing a precise final shape.
- Shaping, Contouring, and Polishing — When all the composite is applied, our team shapes and polishes the restoration to match your tooth's natural bite. A careful check is performed to make sure everything feels even and comfortable.
- Final Review and Home Care Instructions — Before you leave, the provider reviews care recommendations in the hours and days post-appointment. Some mild sensitivity you might feel usually temporary and minor.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Tooth Colored Fillings?
Tooth colored fillings suit a large group of patients. People dealing with a minor to moderate cavity — on a a visible tooth or somewhere in between — is usually considered an good candidate. People who strongly desire an aesthetics-first philosophy about dental treatment often prefer composite restorations. Past fresh decay, tooth colored fillings also work well for people who want to swap out older silver fillings that have cracked or just started to show.
Children and grown-ups may receive tooth colored fillings, while the right treatment plan is influenced by things such as how large the cavity is, where the tooth sits in your mouth, as well as your general dental health. Those dealing with very large cavities, severely broken teeth, or teeth that absorb intense biting force might instead be guided toward an inlay or onlay in place of a direct filling. The clinician is always ready to explain your alternatives ensuring you're comfortable and confident from the start.
It's also worth noting that patients with active gingivitis could require periodontal treatment prior to fillings, as healthy gums are essential for successful restorations. In your initial consultation, our team at ClearWave Dental & Aesthetics take time to review your full oral health picture before giving any treatment suggestions.
Tooth Colored Fillings Common Questions Answered
How long does getting a tooth colored filling take?One tooth colored filling is finished in under an hour total. Multiple fillings or instances where multiple teeth are being treated might need more time, but your dentist provides you a realistic timeline at the consultation.
Do tooth colored fillings involve discomfort?A local anesthetic is administered ahead of the procedure, so most patients feel nothing during the process. Once the numbing dissipates, a degree of sensitivity or soreness in the area is completely expected and typically goes away within one to three days. Over-the-counter pain relief can be sufficient if sensitivity occurs.
How long do tooth colored fillings hold up?Given good oral hygiene, tooth colored fillings typically last 7 to 15 years or more — occasionally even more based on variables including chewing patterns, brushing and flossing habits, and the location of the filling in your mouth. Routine checkups with our team help the team track your fillings and catch any signs of wear at an early stage.
Are tooth colored fillings included in dental insurance?Most insurance carriers cover tooth colored fillings at least partially, however the amount can vary based on the insurer and the tooth's is being treated. Certain carriers pay for composite restorations equally as amalgam, whereas others could ask for additional cost for the aesthetic upgrade. We confirm your benefits before the procedure.
Is it possible to swap out my silver silver fillings with tooth colored fillings?Absolutely — a number of people choose to swap out aging metal fillings with tooth colored fillings for combined cosmetic and and health-related reasons. When an existing amalgam filling is cracked, begun to leak, or has visually outdated, replacing it with a tooth colored alternative is a common procedure in our office. A short exam will confirm whether any filling needs replacing now.
Tooth Colored Fillings for Our Coral Springs Patients
Coral Springs, FL has all kinds of homeowners, students, and multi-generational residents, many of whom find their way to ClearWave Dental & Aesthetics from areas including The Bridges and Wyndham Lakes. Individuals traveling via Sample Road love that our office is centrally located while providing flexible scheduling options for both new and established patient. With the Coral Square Mall alongside the Coral Springs Medical Center anchor an area our practice is honored to be a part of.
Whether you're based close to the Athletic Complex corridor or along Coral Ridge Drive, the office is just a short drive from accessing the kind of dental work you've been putting off. Everyone at ClearWave Dental & Aesthetics works hard at ensuring every appointment as efficient and painless as can be, from parking to leaving the office. Composite fillings are just one of the many services through which we care for our patients here maintain healthy teeth.
Book Your Tooth Colored Fillings Appointment This Week
It's no longer necessary to live with decay or teeth showing dark metal fillings when a comfortable, natural-looking solution is right here. At ClearWave Dental & Aesthetics can help patients receive the restorative care that's been on your to-do list with tooth colored fillings that look great over the long term. Call our Coral Springs office today to reserve an appointment — we're ready to address any concerns so you can get started on the path to a healthier, more beautiful smile.
ClearWave Dental & Aesthetics | 8894 Royal Palm Boulevard | Coral Springs FL 33065 | (954) 345-5200