Tooth-Colored Fillings – Rock Hill, SC
Treating Cavities Without Drawing Attention to Them
Before tooth-colored composite resin was used for filling cavities, the only other material used was amalgam, or a combination of a variety of metals. Not only did this draw attention to your decayed teeth, but these fillings also caused oral issues down the road. At Coombs, Ross & Sourlis Family Dentistry, we take pride in restoring our patients’ smiles by treating their cavities with tooth-colored fillings in our Rock Hill, SC dental office. We’re able to repair the strength, size, and structure of decayed teeth with a safer and more durable treatment for our patients. We also don’t want our patients to feel embarrassed about smiling, which is why we use a natural-looking, virtually unnoticeable, custom-selected shade of composite resin instead of metal that sticks out like a sore thumb.
Why Choose Coombs, Ross & Sourlis Family Dentistry For Tooth-Colored Fillings?
- Emergency Dental Care Available
- State-of-the-Art Dentistry
- Friendly & Welcoming Atmosphere
What Are Tooth-Colored Fillings?
Up until the late 1900s, amalgam fillings were used to fill cavities and prevent dental decay from causing even more damage. These were made from a metal compound that contained mercury, silver, tin, and copper, making them dark, shiny, and highly noticeable. With the latest dental advancements, professionals are moving towards a safer and more discreet treatment that uses composite resin. This is a biocompatible material that’s made of fine particles of plastic and glass. Because it’s able to chemically bond with your natural tooth’s structure, it offers countless benefits that amalgam fillings don’t.
What Are the Benefits of Tooth-Colored Fillings?
The most obvious benefit of tooth-colored fillings in Rock Hill is that it blends in with your natural teeth, making it practically impossible to notice when you smile or laugh. Besides offering attractive results, these fillings also:
- Preserve more of your natural tooth structure by being biocompatible. Amalgam fillings can’t chemically bond with your existing tooth, which means that more of it needs to be removed in order to hold the filling in place. With tooth-colored fillings, little to no preparation of your natural tooth is required.
- Cause less sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures because they aren’t as likely to leak. With a strong bond, composite resin is more effective at blocking off the nerves inside of your decayed tooth, preventing it from becoming aggravated by hot and cold foods.
- Better protects against further damage because it offers a stronger bond. The inner portion of your tooth that houses the pulp will be sealed off from harmful oral bacteria, preventing infections from developing.
How Are Cavity Fillings Placed?
When you visit your dentist in Rock Hill for your routine checkup and cleaning, you may learn that you have a cavity and need it filled. We do our best to make the process as quick and pain-free as possible, so you don’t have to sit in the treatment chair for too long. We’ll numb the area around your damaged tooth and remove any loose debris in your tooth. After cleaning and sanitizing the area, we’ll use a special chart that helps us determine the shade of composite resin that best matches the color of your natural enamel.
We’ll fill the decayed tooth with the resin and use a special ultraviolet light to harden it and completely seal off the fragile inner portion of your tooth. Dr. Coombs, Dr. Ross, or Dr. Sourlis will check to make sure your bite is even and make any final adjustments before polishing your teeth.
If your filling falls out or you begin to experience tooth sensitivity or a severe toothache, be sure to contact our dental office immediately. We offer emergency dental care that prioritizes fast and efficient treatment to relieve your pain.