Tooth-Colored Fillings – Branford, CT

Seamless, Aesthetically Pleasing Cavity Repair

Woman with beautiful smile and tooth-colored fillings in Branford

Traditionally, a material known as silver amalgam was the primary material used to fill cavities. It is a mix of numerous metals, including mercury. Among its other downsides, it is quite dark in color; it does not blend in with the tooth enamel around it. Today, more and more dental offices are offering an aesthetically pleasing alternative. Tooth-colored fillings are not only beautiful, but they also provide some oral health advantages. If you are interested in taking advantage of this remarkable treatment, learn more about it in the sections below. Then, contact our team to schedule your restorative consultation.

Why Choose New Haven Dental Group for Tooth-Colored Fillings?

Natural-looking results
Experienced, friendly dental team
A desirable alternative to metal fillings

What Are Tooth-Colored Fillings?

Illustration of tooth-colored filling on tooth’s chewing surface

Tooth-colored fillings are also called composite resin fillings. The resin that composes them is a mixture of glass particles, plastic, and other ingredients. Together, they form a flexible material that is easy to shade-match to the unique color of a patient’s teeth. The resin is the same material that we use during cosmetic dental bonding procedures.

How Do Tooth-Colored Fillings Work?

Man admiring his smile after receiving tooth-colored filling

The tooth-colored filling process is fairly quick and simple. We usually numb the tooth, but that is not always necessary if a cavity has not yet penetrated into the dentin (the layer of a tooth beneath the enamel). After we make sure you are comfortable, we prepare the tooth to receive the filling by removing its decayed tissue. Next, we place the filling material into the cavity. A special light cures (hardens) the filling in a matter of seconds. Lastly, we adjust the shape of the filling to ensure that it will not interfere with your bite.

Do I Need a Tooth-Colored Filling?

Dentist reviewing X-ray to determine if patient needs filling

Might you benefit from a tooth-colored filling? Some indications that you could benefit from one include:

One of your teeth has a visible hole on it
You are experiencing sensitivity in one of your teeth

An old filling has fallen out
You want to replace your metal fillings with better-looking restorations
Food always seems to get stuck in a particular spot on a tooth
Your floss often snags on a certain tooth
When you run your tongue over a tooth, it feels rough

If you believe that you need a filling, schedule a dental appointment as soon as possible. Postponing treatment will only give the problem the opportunity to worsen. In fact, if you wait too long, a filling may no longer be an adequate treatment; you might require a more extensive procedure.

Benefits of Tooth-Colored Fillings

Handsome senior man enjoying benefits of tooth-colored fillings

The most outstanding benefit of tooth-colored fillings is their aesthetic appeal. However, this restorative treatment also offers some additional advantages, including:

Because the resin bonds directly to the tooth, minimal tooth preparation is necessary
They are completely mercury-free
They have a low thermal conductivity, which can aid in reducing dental sensitivity
Unlike metal fillings, tooth-colored fillings do not expand and contract in response to temperature changes
They are relatively affordable, and dental insurance usually covers 70% – 80% of their price

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