Even people who floss and brush their teeth daily are liable to get a cavity at some point in their life. Dr. Karen Tiwana, a top dentist in Pittsboro, NC, is not here to judge you for having a cavity, she is only here to help. Cavities only get larger with time, turning into more expensive problems that could warrant a root canal or dental crown. Fortunately, when caught early, a cavity can be addressed with a simple filling.
The good news about getting a cavity is that you don’t have to resort to an unsightly silver filling, as was common in decades past. Instead, you can get a composite, or tooth colored, filling to fix your cavity.
Are You a Candidate for Tooth Colored Fillings?
Practically anyone with a cavity is a good candidate for a tooth-colored filling. Composite resin fillings are safer than previous iterations because they do not contain trace toxins like mercury.
What Are the Benefits of Tooth Colored Fillings?
Silver amalgam fillings used to be preferable to composite fillings because they were the more durable option by a wide margin. Thanks to advancements in the production of resin, tooth-colored fillings have a similar strength, making them a worthy option.
Patients who choose tooth-colored fillings tend to have less food sensitivity since the resin protects from hot and cold temperatures.
Understandably, the most compelling benefit is the color. A tooth-colored filling is not generic or plain-white in color. Instead, it is chosen specifically to match the natural shade of your teeth, so that it blends in with the rest of your mouth.
What Is the Composite Filling Procedure Like?
To start, Dr. Tiwana dries the saliva from the tooth with a cavity. She then drills into the infected part of the tooth. Once a hole is created, she can apply resin, which hardens almost immediately. Finally, she smooths out the filling so that it matches the natural shape of your other teeth.
The whole process is short — quicker than with other fillings since inserting resin requires less drilling and the resin itself hardens instantaneously.
What Kind of Results Can You Expect from Your Fillings?
Tooth-colored fillings can stop your tooth’s decay from expanding, but cannot stop new infections. Be sure to brush twice and floss once per day for the continued health of your teeth and gums. Those are your best tools for preventing subsequent cavities which will require additional fillings.
The average tooth-colored filling can last for about five to 10 years before needing to be replaced. To ensure that your filling survives as long as possible, modify your diet to include fewer sugary and acidic foods, which are known to erode composite resin fillings. Also avoid chewing on hard foods and objects since that can similarly wear away at the resin.
Make an Appointment
If you know you need a filling or if you have been postponing your semiannual dental examination that can confirm whether you have any cavities, Dr. Tiwana is available to help with warm, expert service. To make an appointment at Chatham Dental Arts, please call (919) 542-4911.