Tooth Colored Fillings Peachtree City, GA
There are alternative, natural-looking materials to conventional silver-colored fillings - materials made from porcelain and composite resins, which are colored to match natural tooth enamel. Unfortunately, few materials can match the strength and durability of dental amalgam and such, may need more frequent replacement.
Common amalgam alternatives include:
- Composite fillings -- As stated, composite fillings are just what the name implies: a mixture of resins and fine particles designed to mimic the color of natural teeth. While not as strong as dental amalgam, composite fillings provide a pleasing aesthetic alternative. Sometimes, composite resins need to be cemented, or bonded to a tooth to allow for better adhesion.
- Ionomers -- Like composite resins, these materials are tooth-colored. Ionomers are made from a combination of various materials, including ground glass and acrylic resins. Ionomers are typically used for fillings near the gum line or tooth root, where biting pressure is not a factor. They are more fragile than dental amalgam, however. A small amount of fluoride is released by these compounds in order to facilitate strengthened enamel in the affected area.
- Porcelain (ceramic) -- This material is usually a combination of porcelain, glass powder and ceramic. Candidates for porcelain fillings are typically crowns, veneers, onlays and inlays. Unlike ionomers, porcelain fillings are more durable but can become fractured if exposed to prolonged biting pressures.
The Facts About Composite (Tooth-Colored) Fillings
Tooth-colored fillings, also called cosmetic or composite fillings, can help restore your damaged teeth and provide cosmetic beauty. Placed by your Peachtree City dentist, this type of filling is an excellent choice for repairing a tooth. Teeth that are chipped, cracked, decayed, damaged, stained, or discolored can all benefit from a cosmetic filling.
Cosmetic fillings can also replace bulky, unsightly metal fillings. Large metal fillings can actually weaken a tooth, structurally cutting the tooth in half. When you bite hard on a large metal filling, there is a good chance the filling can fracture, taking part of your precious tooth structure with it. On the other hand, cosmetic tooth-colored fillings can strengthen damaged teeth because the material used actually bonds your tooth structure together.
Cavity Treatment Using Composite Fillings
The first step in your treatment is for our dentist in Peachtree City, GA to remove all traces of decay and any old, existing filling material if present, to create a clean, disease-free area. Next, we will prep the tooth for the filling, then use the liquid resin composite material to fill the prepped area. The filling will be carefully shaped and molded. Then, the composite material is hardened using a high-tech ultraviolet “curing” light. As a final step, our dentist will further shape and polish the filling to perfection. The finished product is a durable filling that will look and feel natural in your mouth.
