Natural-Looking Tooth-Colored Fillings
Traditional silver amalgam fillings can impact the visual appeal of your smile, as they are prominently visible and can lead to discoloration of your teeth.
For those looking for a subtler solution, tooth-colored composite fillings provide a beautiful alternative. These composites not only act as fillings but can also be used for minor reshaping of chipped teeth or to fill small gaps, creating a more uniform and visually appealing smile.
What Are Composite Fillings?
Composite fillings are made from a combination of resins, fillers, and pigments, applied in layers and then "cured" to harden.
In contrast to silver amalgam fillings, composites can be custom matched to the color of your natural teeth, providing a more discreet and visually appealing restoration.
Since composite materials bond directly to your tooth, they usually require less removal of healthy tooth structure, helping to maintain the integrity and strength of the remaining tooth. Moreover, composite fillings offer greater resistance to cracking and chipping due to temperature changes in your mouth compared to amalgam fillings.
How Are Composite Fillings Applied
To place a composite filling, our dentist in Highlands Ranch begins by numbing the area, if necessary, and removing any decayed tissue. Next, the tooth is prepared by etching its surface to create a rough texture that enhances the composite's adhesion. The dentist selects a shade that closely matches your natural teeth and mixes the composite material, applying it in layers with curing in between each application. Once the layers are built up, the filling is shaped to fit your bite and appear natural, followed by polishing for a smooth finish.
For larger fillings, a semi-direct or indirect technique may be utilized. Semi-direct fillings are crafted within the mouth and then removed for curing, while indirect fillings are made outside the mouth and subsequently bonded to the tooth. These approaches facilitate a more effective curing process, resulting in a stronger and more durable composite filling. After curing, the filling is securely bonded to your natural tooth.
Benefits of Choosing Composite Fillings
Composite fillings tend to be pricier than silver amalgam fillings, but they provide a superior aesthetic compared to metal fillings. Additionally, they function more like natural teeth, reducing the risk of fractures caused by uneven stress while chewing.
