Tooth-Colored Fillings in Sugar Hill

Also serving Johns Creek, Buford, & Suwanee

For many years, cavities were filled with unattractive metal materials that stood out like an eyesore in the mouth. Fortunately, dentists like the team at Dentistry of Sugar Hill started using modern tooth-colored materials to fill teeth with cavities. Tooth-colored fillings can be placed on the front or back teeth without sacrificing aesthetics or durability. It is virtually impossible to discern a tooth-colored filling from a natural tooth.

Perks of Tooth-Colored Fillings

The most obvious benefit of tooth-colored fillings is the fact that the composite resin or porcelain material closely mimics natural, healthy tooth enamel. But tooth-colored fillings are also better for your teeth and oral health. Here’s why:

Metal filings can require the dentist to remove healthy tooth structure to create a small ledge where the filling locks into place. But when placing any type of restoration, it’s best to preserve as much natural tooth structure as possible. Tooth-colored filing material bonds to the natural tooth structure and does not require any to be removed to create a ledge. This is better for the health and strength of the tooth.

Also, metal fillings are strong yet inflexible, which can stress the natural tooth structure, putting them at risk of fracture. Like metal fillings, tooth-colored fillings are strong, but they are also more flexible; they absorb the forces of biting and chewing like natural teeth.

Are Tooth-Colored Fillings Right for Me?

The type of material used for your filling depends on factors such as the size of the area that needs to be restored, your aesthetic preferences, how strong you want the restoration to be and how long you want it to last.

If the damaged area of your tooth is too big for a tooth-colored filling, but not sufficient enough for a crown, our dentists may recommend an inlay or onlay restoration.

Placing Tooth-Colored Fillings

Placing a tooth-colored filling generally takes one dental appointment.

Depending on the extent of the cavity’s decay, the tooth to be treated may be numbed prior to placing the filling. If the decay has reached the dentin layer of the tooth, which surrounds the nerve of the tooth, the tooth will likely be anesthetized to prevent pain or discomfort.

To begin, the dentist will remove the decay and debris of the cavity, disinfecting your tooth completely. A primer will be applied to the area of the tooth being filled to prepare it for the filling. A bonding agent will also be placed into the tooth and cured, which prepares the bonding agent to adhere to the filling material. Then, the filling material will be placed inside your tooth. The dentist will shape the filling material so that it resembles the natural curves and anatomy of the tooth. The filling material will be cured with a special light to harden it.

Once the filling has been placed, the dentist will check your bite to make sure there are no problems with the filling. He can make any final modifications as needed, and will end by polishing the new filling.

Contact Dentistry of Sugar Hill

To learn more about tooth-colored fillings and other restorations available at Dentistry of Sugar Hill, call or email our office today.