How Cosmetic Dentistry Uses Tooth Colored Fillings

Cavities can happen to anyone, but they are especially prevalent in children. However, composite fillings restore their primary and secondary teeth without sacrificing appearance. Composite resin, or tooth-colored fillings, allows children to receive the necessary repairs without using unattractive metals that parents may remember from their childhoods. Many pediatric dentists now use this approach for most children, allowing them to restore tooth form and function while maintaining the smile's natural appearance.

The role of composite fillings in cosmetic dentistry

Although pediatric dentists can use composite resin fillings as part of a smile makeover, they also play an important part in keeping a child's dental health in good standing. The materials used help repair and strengthen damaged teeth while offering patients a more discreet treatment plan.

Treating tooth decay

Dental patients of all ages should have cavities treated promptly. Failure to do this can lead to serious and unsightly complications, including:

• Chronic tooth pain and sensitivity
• Discoloration
• Gum (periodontal) disease
• Potential tooth loss
• The spread of decay to other teeth

Dentists can use tooth-colored fillings to treat cavities, preventing further damage to the tooth while removing the decayed tissue for a healthier mouth. The finished product is also very natural, and many patients find it virtually unnoticeable.

Replacing existing fillings

For many years, metal or amalgam fillings were the treatment of choice for repairing cavities. However, the materials used in these fillings have numerous unwanted and unnecessary side effects. Although it is safe, amalgam fillings contain mercury, causing many parents to prefer to limit their child's exposure to this chemical element. The metals can also cause sensitivity, especially to hot and cold temperatures. Most of all, metal fillings can be unsightly and impact a child's confidence among their peers, especially teens. Replacing them with tooth-colored fillings can solve these issues.

Understanding the process for receiving tooth-colored fillings

When patients receive tooth-colored fillings to treat existing decay, the dentist will numb the affected area as needed to prevent discomfort. Next, the dentist will remove the decayed tissue, usually with a drill or laser, and then clean the surfaces to neutralize any lingering bacteria. Then, the dentist can begin filling the tooth with the composite resin material.

The dentist will closely match the material with the shade of the natural tooth. Once the resin is applied, a dental light cures and permanently adheres it to the tooth. Some final shaping may be necessary to achieve the desired form and surface texture so the tooth can function properly.

The process is very similar when pediatric dentists replace an existing amalgam filling with a tooth-colored one. However, instead of removing the diseased tissue, the dentist will remove the metal components and check for signs of continuing decay. Then, they clean the tooth as needed, and the treatment process continues in the same fashion.