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Tooth Colored - Composite Fillings
How are tooth colored fillings different from normal fillings?
As the name indicates, tooth colored fillings offer excellent aesthetics as they match the exact shade of natural teeth. Conventional amalgam fillings are metallic in color and do not offer any aesthetic value. Tooth colored fillings are also known as composite fillings. Composite is one of the most versatile materials in restorative dentistry.
Good quality nano-filled composites offer a number of advantages including:
- Structural stability
- Ideal aesthetics
- Strength to withstand intra-oral forces during mastication without fracture
- 100% biocompatibility and non-toxic composition
- Durability
Are tooth colored fillings strong enough to restore posterior teeth/molars?
Yes, leading dentists across the globe frequently use composites to restore posterior as well as anterior teeth owing to the remarkable properties of the material. The strength of amalgam and nano-filled composites is comparable, with the added advantages of aesthetic value and zero toxicity.
However, to ensure success and long life of a composite restoration, it is critical to create the perfect cavity design that can retain the filling after it has been set.
Inexperienced dentists often make the mistake of not paying adequate attention to creating the right cavity design which results in dislodgement of the filling.
Can tooth colored fillings be used to close gaps between teeth?
Yes, composite buildups are frequently use for the aesthetic closure of gaps (also called diastemas) between teeth. Composite is layered in a manner that matches the natural gradual change of color density from enamel to dentin for ideal results.
It is important for patients to understand that composite buildups are not as strong as porcelain crowns or dental implants, and can fracture if subjected to high forces or pressure. Gap closing buildups are generally only done for aesthetic purposes and do not guarantee strength.
What happens during a composite tooth filling procedure?
First, the composite shade is selected to make sure the restoration matches the exact shade of the natural tooth.
The decayed or carious portion of the tooth is removed using a hand-piece.
The tooth is isolated to prevent saliva from contaminating the restoration.
The tooth is then etched to create porosities at microscopic level; this is done to ensure better bonding between the tooth surface and the filling material. The etching agent is applied on to the tooth and then washed off after 15 seconds for ideal results.
Next, a bonding agent is applied on to the tooth and cured using a blue light.
Composite is then manipulated into the cavity and the natural contour and morphology of the tooth is recreated.
The filling is then set or cured with a curing light. (Composite contains light-activated molecules that set when exposed to a blue light)
Is the procedure painful?
Because dentin is less mineralized as compared to enamel, patients may experience discomfort when the decayed portion is being removed using a hand piece. Local anesthesia can be injected at the site to ensure a painless filling procedure.
The restorative experts at Anantuni Family Dental offer the finest, most effective composite tooth colored fillings in Chandler, AZ. We offer safe, reliable and convenient restoration of multiple teeth in a single sitting, and also provide amalgam replacement services for a complete smile makeover.
Call us today on 480-281-4000 to book an appointment with the leading dental team in Chandler!
