Tooth-Colored Fillings: Benefits, Durability & Cost Explained

Tooth decay is a common dental health issue that can be treated with tooth-colored fillings. Also known as composite fillings, they provide a safer and more natural-looking alternative to amalgam, or silver, fillings.

They are made of a flexible composite resin that contains glass particles and plastic, and can be shade-matched to blend seamlessly with your smile. Taking proper care of your tooth-colored fillings can help them last longer.
Aesthetics

Unlike the traditional silver dental fillings, which have a metallic appearance that clashes with natural tooth enamel, composite resin is molded and shaped to seamlessly integrate into your smile. This customization process offers several aesthetic benefits, including a more natural look that boosts your confidence and encourages a wholesome approach to oral health.

Additionally, composite resin is bonded to the natural teeth in layers, creating an exceptionally strong restoration that minimizes the risk of future fractures and decay by reducing bacteria accumulation. By contrast, the spaces in between metal dental fillings can become breeding grounds for bacteria and lead to a greater likelihood of additional damage over time.

Getting tooth colored fillings Somerset KY is a simple, straightforward procedure that can be completed in one dental appointment. After numbing the area, our dentist will remove any existing decay and thoroughly clean the affected tooth. Then, the composite will be applied in layers and hardened with a special light to ensure proper contours and an optimal aesthetic outcome.

Durability

Tooth colored fillings are durable and can last a long time with proper dental care. However, their durability may be compromised by where they are situated in the mouth. Fillings located on biting surfaces or in areas that experience high stress from chewing are more prone to recurrent decay because of the increased wear and tear they experience.

The durability of tooth colored fillings Somerset KY also depends on the size of the filling. Larger fillings require more healthy tooth structure to be removed in order to accommodate them, which can make a tooth weaker. Additionally, the extra space left by a larger filling can be more difficult to clean thoroughly with regular brushing.

Composite fillings, made of a blend of resin and glass, can be skillfully color-matched to the shade of a patient’s natural teeth. As a result, they are virtually undetectable to the naked eye. In addition, they bond directly to the tooth structure and are insulating, reducing sensitivity to hot or cold food and drinks.

Less Invasive

Tooth colored fillings are a more aesthetically-pleasing alternative to traditional metal amalgam fillings. Silver amalgam fillings consist of a combination of mercury and other metals, but tooth colored fillings are composed of a resin material that blends in seamlessly with the rest of the tooth’s enamel. This allows children to have a restored smile that’s free of temperature-sensitive metal and mercury.

Additionally, tooth-colored composite fillings are less invasive than traditional silver amalgam fillings. They require less healthy tooth structure to be removed in order to be placed. This is because they are made of a resin material that is bonded to the teeth in layers.

During the procedure, your child’s gums and teeth will be numbed using a local anesthetic. Once the tooth and area have been numb, our dentist will clean and prep the area, then apply the composite filling in layers while curing it with a special light. Once the composite is set, it will be shaped and
contoured to fit the affected tooth perfectly.

Cost

The cost of tooth colored fillings Somerset KY without insurance varies depending on the type of tooth filling, material used and other factors. Composite resins are typically more expensive than silver amalgam fillings. Ceramics are also more expensive than composites but offer better durability. Glass ionomer fillings, which contain acrylic and a specific type of glass material, are less expensive than composite but not as durable.

In most cases, composite restorations can be placed during a single dental appointment. The dentist will first select the appropriate shade of composite resin to match your natural teeth. He will then apply the composite in several layers, curing each layer with a special light.

Once the composite has hardened, he will shape and polish it for a perfectly natural appearance. He may need to etch the tooth surface prior to placing the composite, in order to create a stronger bond. For larger areas of decay, however, these types of restorations aren’t appropriate. In these cases, a tooth crown, inlay or onlay is often recommended.