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10/21/24

Free all-on-4® seminar

Learn about our ALL-ON-4® Implant procedures at our woodbury office & meet our doctors!

Tooth Colored Fillings

Tooth Colored Fillings – Woodbury, NY

Reality is that very few people have perfect teeth. The majority of people have some fillings, and those fillings don’t last a lifetime. As a filling’s margins begin to wear away, bacteria enter the leaky filling resulting in recurrent decay under old restorations.

Unfortunately, defective old leaky fillings often don’t cause any pain or sensitivity, so patients are unaware of a problem until the tooth becomes symptomatic or fractures. By the time a tooth with recurrent decay becomes sensitive or fractures, more treatment (like a root canal) is required to restore it than if the leaky filling was addressed earlier. At the integratedDENTAL, we use digital x-rays and frequently evaluate old restorations to identify leaky and failing fillings early on so they can be replaced promptly. We replace old fillings only with cosmetic, durable tooth-colored materials so the result seamlessly matches your natural teeth – no more ugly silver fillings!

COMPOSITE RESIN, THE FILLING MATERIAL

Composite resin is a soft mixture of glass or quartz filler that is color-matched to the existing shade of your enamel. For this reason, composite fillings are ideal for cavities that are visible when you smile. The material also provides good durability and can be used for anterior (front) and posterior (back) teeth. Due to its aesthetic and functional value, composite is the most popular choice for modern dental fillings.

COMPOSITE FILLING PROCEDURE

We begin the composite filling procedure by using a local anesthetic to numb the area. Next, your specialist at integratedDENTAL will remove any decayed tooth material and clean out the cavity with a special solution. The surface of the cavity will then be etched and conditioned to create a stronger bond between the composite and the enamel.

Once the tooth is properly prepared, we mix the composite ingredients and place them directly into the cavity. We carefully pick the color of composite that best matches your tooth. After the composite is in place, we use an ultraviolet curing light to harden the material and expedite the bonding process. We then trim any excess material and polish the composite until it matches the sheen of your enamel.

AFTER YOU RECEIVE A DENTAL FILLING

Dental fillings are easy to care for and maintain. Be sure to follow good oral hygiene practices, and schedule checkups and cleanings at regular intervals. Brushing with ADA-approved fluoride toothpaste can help protect the tooth from further decay. Flossing once a day can also drastically improve your oral health.

Sensitivity issues are normal during the first few days with your new filling. If this issue persists or worsens over time, be sure to schedule an appointment with us as soon as possible. We may need to adjust your filling as it won’t “settle in” on its own