Dental fillings are used when a part of your tooth has developed decay. The dentist removes the decayed portion, and the filling material is used to restore the tooth’s structure so that you can eat, talk and smile normally. Although there are many different types of filling materials, tooth-colored fillings are a popular choice.
What Tooth-colored Fillings Are Made from
Tooth-colored fillings are made from composite resins. The custom color is achieved in the dentist’s office when the dentist mixes the resin. This type of a filling is designed to blend in with the natural coloring of your tooth so that it is less noticeable when you talk or smile.
When Tooth-colored Fillings Are Used
A tooth-colored filling could be an option for you if you need a small or medium-sized filling on an exterior surface of one of your front or side teeth. These fillings can withstand moderate pressure, such as when you bite into a piece of food. The tooth-colored filling is the material of choice if there is tooth decay on a part of your tooth that can be seen during routine activities such as smiling and talking.
Benefits of Getting a Tooth-colored Filling
In addition to the nearly seamless blending of a tooth-colored filling with the color of the rest of your tooth, there are other benefits of getting this type of a dental restoration. The composite resin chemically bonds with your tooth, which helps to keep it in place. Any less healthy tooth structure needs to be removed in order to place a tooth-colored filling. The composite resin can also be used to repair a small chip on a tooth.
Call the office of James Rhea, DDS for more information about tooth-colored dental fillings to correct tooth decay or damage.
