Three Questions to Ask Your Dentist About White Dental Fillings

White dental fillings are a lot more popular than traditional silver amalgam fillings nowadays. Also known as composite fillings, the materials used are made from mixing plastic and glass resins. They can be color-matched with the patient’s teeth, so any repairs look natural in their mouth.

That leads to significantly improved aesthetics over conventional amalgam fillings, which have a dark gray color. White dental fillings can fix various dental issues like tooth decay, minor to mild chips and breaks, or stains and discoloration.

Questions to ask a dentist about white dental fillings

Thinking about restoring one or more damaged teeth with composite bonding? Here are the answers to some of the questions you might have:

1. What does the process look like?

Fixing dental issues with tooth-colored dental fillings is a non-invasive procedure that can be completed in as little as 45 minutes per tooth. It does not involve making permanent alterations to the patient’s tooth, and anesthetics are typically not used unless it is being used to treat tooth decay.

At the start of the treatment, the dentist cleans the patient’s tooth and applies an etching solution to roughen its exterior. This leads to a better bond with the composite and long-lasting results. The composite is applied to the tooth in layers and molded as needed. It is hardened with a curing light, and the tooth is polished to complete the treatment. They walk out of the clinic with their tooth fully restored.

2. How durable are these composite resins?

Tooth-colored fillings typically last as long as silver amalgam fillings. It allows the dentist to close up cavities with smaller fillings, preserving the integrity of the teeth being treated. Restorations made with composite bonding can last anywhere from 5 to 15 years. Follow-up applications of the composite can be performed as needed to preserve the appearance and effectiveness of the restoration.

3. How do I maintain composite restorations and repairs?

Teeth that have been restored with composite bonding do not need any additional maintenance besides brushing and flossing. This helps to keep the restored tooth healthy and minimizes stains forming on the tooth.

The composites used for tooth-colored fillings are more prone to stains than natural teeth. Avoiding things that can stain them, like tobacco smoke, coffee, and red wine helps preserve their color. Other things patients can do to maintain their composite fillings include:

• Avoid mouth rinses that contain alcohol
• Avoid abrasive oral hygiene products like those that contain baking soda
• Avoid biting down on hard things
• Brush twice daily and floss once each day
• Visit a dentist twice a year so the restoration can be examined

Restore your damaged teeth

Composite bonding provides a fast solution for issues like cavities or damaged teeth. It only takes about 45 minutes to fix a tooth, and you walk out of our clinic with a restored smile. Give us a call or visit our Colorado Springs clinic to set up an appointment with our dentist.