Tooth Colored Fillings Natural Durable Alternative
In the past, silver amalgam fillings were the standard treatment for tooth decay. While durable and effective, these metal fillings have a noticeable dark color that contrasts sharply with your natural tooth enamel. Today, tooth-colored fillings offer a more discreet and attractive alternative. Not only do they blend seamlessly with your smile, but they also provide a strong, safe restoration that’s gentler on your teeth. Discover how tooth-colored fillings at Diamond Family Dental in Sterling Heights, MI can help you maintain both your dental health and a natural-looking smile.
What Are Tooth-colored Fillings?
Tooth-colored fillings, also known as composite or composite resin fillings, are made from a blend of plastic resins and silica fillers. This biocompatible material is designed to work seamlessly with your body. Because they use the same material as cosmetic dental bonding, these fillings can be precisely matched to the color of your natural teeth, providing a discreet and natural-looking restoration.
The Tooth-colored Filling Process
At Diamond Family Dental in Sterling Heights, MI, Dr. Yousif and our team prioritize your comfort throughout the tooth-colored filling procedure. Depending on the depth of the cavity, we may numb the tooth, but this isn’t always necessary for shallow decay.
The treatment begins by carefully removing any decayed tissue from the tooth. Then, the composite resin is applied directly into the cavity. Using a special curing light, the filling is hardened within seconds. Finally, Dr. Yousif will shape and adjust the filling to ensure it fits naturally with your bite.
Most appointments take less than an hour, and you won’t need to follow any special eating or drinking restrictions afterward. You might experience some temporary sensitivity, but this typically subsides within a few days.
Advantages of Tooth-colored Fillings
One of the biggest benefits of tooth-colored fillings at Diamond Family Dental in Sterling Heights, MI is their natural appearance—they blend seamlessly with your existing teeth, making them virtually invisible and eliminating unsightly dark spots in your smile. But the advantages go beyond aesthetics:
- No staining: Unlike silver amalgam fillings, tooth-colored fillings won’t cause permanent stains on your teeth.
- Conservative tooth preparation: Because composite resin bonds directly to the tooth, less healthy tooth structure needs to be removed compared to amalgam fillings that require more extensive shaping for stability.
- Mercury-free: Unlike amalgam fillings that contain about 50% mercury—a toxic metal—composite fillings are completely metal-free and safer for your body.
- Reduced sensitivity: Metal fillings can sometimes cause long-lasting sensitivity to hot and cold, but composite fillings rarely lead to this issue.
