Nearly everyone has experienced a cavity at some point in their life. In fact, the CDC calculates that over 90% of 20-year-olds or older in the United States likely had at least one cavity. The worse news, however, is that more than 25% of American adults have unchecked cavities. Tooth decay can often go unnoticed at first, but it can lead to more serious issues if left untreated, such as severe toothaches and infections. To help avoid these complications, our team at Healthy Smiles Dental Care of Lansing provides tooth-colored fillings in Lansing. This treatment can repair decayed teeth or even replace metal amalgam fillings for a healthier option, and the results seamlessly blend with the rest of your smile. Call us if you wish to schedule an appointment or read on to learn more!
Tooth-colored fillings are made out of biocompatible composite resin which is used to fill in the areas of a tooth where a cavity was removed from. Back then, the only way to treat these issues was to use amalgam fillings, which typically consisted of a mixture of metals like nickel, silver, gold, and small traces of mercury. Though this treatment is durable, the metal is obvious in a person’s smile and the material can lead to dental problems over time.
Instead, tooth-colored fillings can flawlessly match your smile, making them indistinguishable from your other natural teeth. The material also adheres to your teeth more effectively than amalgam, meaning you likely won’t experience much sensitivity with them and they’ll be better at preventing future decay. Tooth-colored fillings also contain no mercury or other harmful chemicals, so you won’t have to worry about any potentially hazardous material in your mouth.
In most cases, our team can use tooth-colored fillings to treat one to three cavities in a single visit. To begin, we’ll completely numb the area of your mouth that we’ll work on to ensure that you’re pain-free throughout your appointment. Your dentist will then remove the decayed structure and disinfect the area. We’ll pick the correct color for composite resin so that it mimics your other teeth and fill the area with it. Then, we’ll harden the resin with a special curing light before polishing the surface and checking that your bite is correct and comfortable. Afterward, you’ll be free to be on your way while enjoying a cavity-free smile.
Tooth-colored fillings are the ideal way to address cavities, and it’s easy to see why! These restorations come with multiple benefits, including: