Tooth Decay
Fountain Valley, CA
Tooth Colored Fillings
The American Dental Association recommends brushing twice a day and flossing daily, along with regular dental cleanings and dental exams, to maintain a healthy mouth. Even occasionally skipping out on any part of your oral hygiene routine can significantly increase your risk of developing serious issues, including decay and cavities. When cavities form, treatment is needed right away. Bijan Family Dental Practice can help restore the health of your mouth with tooth colored fillings.
How Cavities Form
Cavities are small pits that form on the surfaces of your teeth when weak spots begin to erode away. Plaque and bacteria, both of which occur naturally within the mouth, produce harmful acids. When these acids sit on the surfaces of your teeth, they can begin to wear away the protective enamel layer. This then causes weak spots, where cavities can begin to form. The longer cavities go without treatment, the worse they become. Eventually, cavities can compromise the health of the tooth, leaving it susceptible to breaking or developing painful infections.
What are Tooth Colored Fillings?
For many years, cavities have been treated with amalgam fillings. These fillings are known for their incredible strength. They are made up of a mixture of metals, including silver, tin, nickel, and copper, that are suspended in liquid mercury. While they are strong, they have many drawbacks. They are silver in color, which makes them stand out in your mouth. The metal content can pose issues for those with allergies. The mercury content can also cause concerns for many patients.
Tooth-colored fillings provide an alternative to traditional amalgam fillings. These fillings use a composite resin material. Composite resin is made up of plastic, fine glass, and other materials. It perfectly blends in with the color of your natural teeth, making these fillings perfect for cavities that have affected the visible teeth in your smile.
Getting Your Filling
Getting a tooth colored filling is a simple procedure that can be completed in a single visit, usually in less than half an hour. Depending on the size and location of the cavity, you may or may not need a local anesthetic. We begin by cleaning the tooth and drilling away the decay. Next, we apply an acid etch into the cavity. This acid creates a rough texture that helps to create a stronger bond between the composite resin and your tooth. After the acid is washed off, we dry the tooth. The composite resin material is placed inside of the cavity, and we use a special light to cure, or dry, it. Finally, we polish the filling, creating a smooth surface that blends in beautifully with the rest of your tooth structure.
The Benefits of a Tooth Colored Filling
There are several benefits associated with tooth colored fillings:
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Composite resin blends in with your natural tooth color.
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Because composite resin bonds to the tooth, we do not need to drill away as much of your natural tooth structure.
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Composite resin is completely metal-free, which makes it a perfect solution for those who have allergies or sensitivities. It also does not contain any mercury, making it a good alternative for those who have concerns over mercury. |
If you have a cavity, getting treatment right away is essential for preventing serious complications. For more information, and to schedule your appointment, call Bijan Family Dental Practice today at (714) 421-4494.
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