Tooth-Colored Fillings Washington, DC
Traditionally, dental fillings have been made from a material called amalgam, which is made of several types of metals, including tin, copper, silver, and mercury. For over 150 years, amalgam has been the easiest and most long-lasting cavity filling material available, but there have been recent health concerns over the inclusion of mercury. Composite resin fillings were introduced in the 1960s and eventually became an industry standard at most dental practices since they were more natural looking and safer than metal fillings.
For the health and safety of our patients at City Dental DC, we use mainly composite resin fillings or tooth-colored fillings. These fillings are virtually undetectable which makes your smile healthy and beautiful at the same time.
The Facts About Composite (Tooth-Colored) Fillings
Tooth-colored fillings, also called cosmetic or composite fillings, can help restore your damaged teeth and provide cosmetic beauty. Placed by your Washington, DC dentist, this type of filling is an excellent choice for repairing a tooth. Teeth that are chipped, cracked, decayed, damaged, stained, or discolored can all benefit from a cosmetic filling.
Cosmetic fillings can also replace bulky, unsightly metal fillings. Large metal fillings can actually weaken a tooth, structurally cutting the tooth in half. When you bite hard on a large metal filling, there is a good chance the filling can fracture, taking part of your precious tooth structure with it. On the other hand, cosmetic tooth-colored fillings can strengthen damaged teeth because the material used actually bonds your tooth structure together.
Cavity Treatment Using Composite Fillings
The first step in your treatment is for our dentist, Dr. John Tsaknis, DDS, to remove all traces of decay and any old, existing filling material if present, to create a clean, disease-free area. Next, Dr. Tsaknis will prep the tooth for the filling, then use the liquid resin composite material to fill the prepped area. The filling will be carefully shaped and molded. Then, the composite material is hardened using a high-tech ultraviolet “curing” light. As a final step, Dr. Tsaknis will further shape and polish the filling to perfection. The finished product is a durable filling that will look and feel natural in your mouth.
Contact Us
Tooth-colored cosmetic fillings are virtually invisible to you and those around you. When you smile, people will notice your beautiful teeth, not ugly metal fillings. Cosmetic fillings require a certain amount of artistry, so if you need a skilled dentist to sculpt your cosmetic fillings to perfection, contact City Dental DC in Washington, DC!
