Metal amalgams used to be the only choice of material for filling a cavity. Today, tooth-colored fillings are the preferred alternative at Total Dental Care by our Columbia, SC dentist. Composite or tooth-colored fillings blend in with your natural teeth, making it difficult to tell that you’ve had work done. Resin and porcelain also eliminate the suspected hazards associated with silver amalgam fillings.
Tooth restoration relies on a strong bond between the filling material and the enamel/dentin. The bond must hold in spite of strong chewing forces that constantly pass through the tooth. Tooth-colored fillings require less tooth reduction than silver amalgam, preserving the existing structure. The material also bonds with the tooth to provide extra support.
Other advantages of tooth-colored fillings:
- The shade of composite fillings can be closely matched to your natural teeth.
- Composite materials are great for the front teeth and teeth that are visible when you smile.
- Tooth-colored fillings can also be used to repair broken, worn, or chipped teeth.
- Tooth-colored fillings are recommended for people with metal allergies.
The Procedure
After the tooth is prepared, the filling material is placed in layers. Each layer is hardened by a special curing light. Columbia, SC dentist Dr. Forbes then shapes the composite to fit the tooth and polishes the material. Compared to placing amalgam fillings, placing tooth-colored fillings can take several minutes longer. For large cavities, it may take more than one appointment to create the restoration.
The Beauty Of Tooth-Colored Fillings
Many dental practices have used the same way to fill cavities for decades, which is with metal fillings. While they fill cavities just fine, they leave a dark blemish on the inside of your teeth that people can easily see when they look into your mouth. At Total Dental Care, we remedy that problem with our tooth-colored fillings. Cavities are the most common dental problems that we encounter on a daily basis, and when we fill them, we want to fill them with a material that blends in with your natural teeth.
Inlays and Onlays
Inlays and onlays are also called indirect fillings. They are made in advance in the lab and designed to fit your tooth perfectly. Our Columbia, SC dentist Dr. Forbes uses tooth-colored inlays and onlays for a tooth that is too damaged for standard fillings, but not damaged enough to require a full dental crown. Inlays and onlays are also recommended for old fillings that need replacement.
Other Practices And Metal Fillings
At other practices they will choose to fill your cavities with metal fillings that have been proven to be hazardous to your health in certain ways. At Total Dental Care, we would never subject you to any dental service that we know is less than healthy. Our main goal is to make sure that your teeth are filled with high-quality tooth-colored fillings! Your smile will be in great hands when you come in for a visit at Total Dental Care!
Dr. Forbes is an active member of the South Carolina Dental Association, the American Dental Association, the Academy of General Dentistry, and the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. He also attends as many classes as he can to stay up to date with the most modern dental practices and technologies.
Visit Total Dental Care to learn more about dental fillings. Call our Columbia, SC dentist at 803-272-4162 or use our online form to make an appointment.
