Enhance Your Smile with Tooth-colored Fillings By Jon Marc Van Slate DDS on September 02, 2016

An illustration of a tooth-colored fillingTooth-colored fillings are a popular option that can treat dental cavities and restore the appearance of teeth previously treated with metal fillings. There are many obvious aesthetic benefits, but tooth-colored fillings have so much more to offer. Restorative dentistry treatments, like tooth-colored fillings, enhance the smile by repairing damage and restoring oral health. To learn more about tooth-colored filling benefits, schedule a consultation with Houston, TX dentist Jon Marc Van Slate.

What Are Tooth-colored Fillings?

Tooth-colored fillings are a cosmetically pleasing option that can treat dental cavities caused by tooth decay. Tooth-colored fillings are made of a custom-colored composite resin that provides a seamless match between the restoration and natural tooth. During tooth-colored filling treatment, the damaged tooth is thoroughly cleaned and decayed areas are removed. The resin is then directly applied to tooth. A special light is used to cure, or harden, the resin and the hardened filling is polished to create a natural-looking finish.

The Benefits of Tooth-colored Fillings

Tooth-colored fillings offer many benefits over treatment with traditional silver amalgam. Of course, tooth-colored fillings provide a more aesthetically pleasing treatment of dental cavities over silver fillings, but that's just the beginning of the many benefits of tooth-colored fillings. Some of the benefits include:

  • Requires less tooth structure to be removed: Treatment with tooth-colored fillings requires less tooth structure to be removed than treatment with metal fillings, helping to preserve dental strength and health.
  • Nearly indistinguishable from the surrounding tooth: Because treatment with tooth-colored fillings is customized to each patient, a flawless match is created between the dental filling and natural tooth, making tooth-colored fillings unnoticeable.
  • Safer than silver amalgam fillings: Silver amalgam fillings expand and contract when exposed temperature fluctuations in foods. Over time, this expansion and contraction can cause cracks and fractures to form within treated teeth. Tooth-colored fillings won't expand or contract with temperature changes, making them safer for your dental health.
  • Extremely durable: The composite resin used in tooth-colored fillings is more durable than silver amalgam and creates a stronger bond with the natural tooth than metal fillings can provide.
  • Won't discolor the teeth: Over time, silver amalgam fillings can stain the teeth, resulting in a grayish tint. Tooth-colored fillings won't discolor the teeth, making them the preferred treatment.
  • Restored dental strength: Tooth-colored fillings are directly bonded to the teeth, helping to rebuild damaged teeth and restore dental strength.
  • Can replace old metal fillings: Old metal fillings can be replaced with tooth-colored fillings for improved appearance and dental health.
  • Improved appearance: Tooth-colored fillings match the surrounding tooth, providing a huge improvement over traditional metal fillings.
  • Improved confidence: Treating new and old tooth decay with tooth-colored fillings can help give patients the confidence of a beautiful, flawless smile.

Are Tooth-colored Fillings Right for You?

If you suffer from dental cavities or are unhappy with old metal fillings, tooth-colored fillings may be right for you. To find out if you're a candidate for tooth-colored fillings, we invite you to schedule a consultation with Dr. Van Slate.

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Dr. Van Slate

Dr. Jon Marc Van Slate Augusta Drive Dental Care

Dr. Van Slate and his team are dedicated to upholding the highest standards in dental care. They are affiliated with several prestigious organizations:

  • American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry
  • Academy of General Dentistry
  • American Dental Association
  • American Academy of Implant Dentistry
  • IAPA-International Association of Physiologic Aesthetics

To schedule your consultation, contact us online or call us today at (713) 783-1993.

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