Tooth-Colored Fillings – Inner Grove Heights, MN
Seamless Cavity Repair for Young Smiles
An estimate published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that 52% of children have had a cavity in one of their baby teeth, while 57% have had a cavity in one of their permanent teeth. Indeed, dental decay is one of the most common problems to afflict young smiles. Fortunately, the team at Mighty Molars in Inner Grove Heights offers seamless cavity repair with tooth-colored fillings.
Why Choose Mighty Molars for Tooth-Colored Fillings?
- Empathetic & Skilled Dental Team
- Metal-Free Cavity Repair
- Inviting & Fun Dental Office
What Are Tooth-Colored Fillings?
The purpose of a dental filling is to fill a spot of decay, thereby protecting the tooth’s sensitive inner layers and stopping the decay from worsening. In the past, dentists always used a material called silver amalgam to address cavities. Unfortunately, amalgam has several disadvantages, including its dark color and the fact that it is composed of 50% mercury.
Tooth-colored fillings, on the other hand, are made of a biocompatible composite resin, which consists of tiny glass and plastic particles. It can be shade-matched to blend in beautifully with the surrounding dentition, and it is completely metal-free.
The Process of Getting a Tooth-Colored Filling
The process of getting a tooth-colored filling takes just one appointment and can usually be completed in less than one hour. Here is how the treatment usually works:
- We numb the patient’s mouth. If a cavity is not particularly deep, local anesthesia is not always necessary. Conversely, if a patient is nervous or afraid, we may offer sedation.
- We remove damaged tissue from within the cavity.
- We insert the shade-matched composite resin and harden it with a special curing light.
- We adjust and polish the filling so it is both comfortable and discreet.
The patient’s tooth might be extra-sensitive for a few days after their appointment, but they should be able to eat and drink normally as soon as any local anesthesia wears off.
The Benefits of Tooth-Colored Fillings
Some of the most outstanding benefits of tooth-colored fillings include:
- They contain no metal or mercury. Therefore, they are ideal for families who are concerned about metal allergies or mercury’s toxicity.
- They look natural. Tooth-colored fillings are virtually unnoticeable when a patient smiles or laughs.
- They are durable. Tooth-colored fillings have the potential to last for several years.
- They do not increase dental sensitivity. Composite resin fillings do not expand and contract or conduct temperatures like metal fillings. Therefore, they are more comfortable and come with a lower risk of damage to the surrounding dentition.
- They require minimal tooth preparation. Since composite resin bonds with the surrounding dentition, very little tooth modification is necessary before placing a tooth-colored filling.