Get to know the strength, beauty, and ease of metal-free, tooth-colored fillings for cavity repair
Fillings have long been a staple of dentistry. However, if you still associate this standard restorative treatment with silver metal, we encourage you to rethink your perception! The modern fillings available at High Forest Dental in Littleton, Colorado are not only beautiful to look at – they look like natural teeth – but they are also durable, long-lasting, preserve utmost tooth structure, and are even appropriate for patients with sensitivities to metals.
The “magic” of tooth-colored fillings
We have a material called composite resin to thank for all of these cosmetic, functional, and health benefits of metal-free fillings. Composite resin is a safe blend of plastic and “filler” material such as glass-like or quartz particles. This combination of materials can be perfectly color-matched to the shades of the surrounding teeth and the neighboring teeth – no flashes of silver when you smile or laugh! Additionally, the particles within the composite help to mimic the appearance, luminosity, and reflectivity of natural enamel. So, your filled tooth looks indistinguishable from a natural, healthy, and unaltered tooth.
Unlike some metals, composite resin tooth-colored fillings maintain their beauty – as long as our patients exercise excellent home care and maintain professional check-ups at our office. These resin materials do not corrode or darken over time. With good hygiene, they look as great as the day that they were placed by our friendly dentist, Dr. Allison Brown.
Patients concerned about the effects of metals in their mouths and bodies do not have to worry. These fillings do not present any risks of adverse reactions. They are non-toxic and an appropriate material for individuals of all ages. With that being said, not everyone is a perfect candidate for fillings. There is no single “universally-appropriate” restorative dentistry procedure. Individuals with larger fillings may benefit from our equally cosmetic and strong dental inlays, onlays, and full crowns. We can even make and place crowns in just one visit with Glidewell.io (same-day) technology!
What to expect
Fillings, in general, are straightforward, but metal-free fillings are exceedingly so due to the conservative nature of this type of restoration. Since Dr. Brown applies the material directly to the tooth in layers, she can minimize the amount of natural tooth structure that is removed to accommodate the filling. Once the material has been applied to the clean and prepared tooth, she hardens it with a curing light to ensure the strongest bond between tooth and resin. With consistent care, no further treatment is needed.
Do not wait to contact High Forest Dental if you notice changes to a tooth, such as discoloration or sensitivity, when you sip on sweet or cold drinks. Since most oral conditions are asymptomatic in their earliest stages, these are signs that something is amiss and damage has occurred that may require restorative treatment (like fillings). Call (303) 951-3717 to schedule your appointment at our Littleton, CO office today.
