Tooth-Colored Fillings

St. Joseph, Michigan

In the past, the only type of filling available for cavity repair was silver amalgam. While extremely strong and durable, the material's grayish color is noticeable when you smile, making it not the preferred cosmetic choice. Moreover, metal fillings contract and expand with temperature changes, often leading to cracks and fractures in the tooth structure. At Michigan Coast Dental, we offer tooth-colored fillings made of a superior material that we closely match to the color and shade of your natural teeth for a healthy, seamless smile.

What Are Tooth-Colored Fillings?

Tooth-colored fillings are restorations that repair decayed teeth, restoring their health, form, and function. They are created from a composite resin material that we closely match to the color and shade of your natural teeth. The non-toxic material bonds to the natural tooth structure, providing an impenetrable seal between the tooth and the filling. Once in place, a tooth-colored filling is undetectable, providing superior aesthetics.

Tooth-colored fillings were primarily used to treat the front teeth. However, the material continues to be improved upon and reinvented, providing stronger and more durable restorations than ever before. Today's modern cosmetic fillings can treat any of your teeth, including the molars that need to withstand more chewing pressure. Aside from treating cavities, composite resin fillings can repair chipped or broken teeth.

What Should You Expect During the Tooth-Colored Filling Procedure?

We will start by numbing the area with a local anesthetic and then remove the damaged areas of the affected tooth to make room for the dental filling. With tooth-colored fillings, we don't have to remove as much of the healthy tooth structure as with amalgam fillings. That's because the composite material chemically bonds to the tooth surfaces like an adhesive.

After cleaning and sterilizing the area, we'll place the composite resin material and harden it with a curing light. We'll shape your restoration to resemble your natural tooth surfaces, then polish it before the procedure is complete.

How Should You Care for Restored Teeth?

Caring for teeth with tooth-colored fillings is no different than caring for your natural teeth. Make sure you brush and floss regularly and avoid biting down on hard objects, which can damage your filling as well as your natural tooth enamel.

It's also important to visit Michigan Coast Dental for your routine dental exams and cleanings. If your filling material sustains any damage, bacteria can get between the filling and the enamel, causing new decay. During your visits, our team will evaluate every aspect of your oral health to detect and treat any problems, ensuring you maintain healthy gums, teeth, and restorations.