Cosmetic Fillings

A cavity is a tooth structure that has been weakened by decay. When your dentist removes this decay, they replace the removed structure with a filling to protect and retain the structure of the tooth. It is called a filling because it fills the space where the decay in the tooth has been removed.

When your dentist removes tooth decay, they replace the removed structure with a filling to protect and retain the structure of the tooth. Traditionally, dentists have used metal “amalgam” fillings for this purpose. Cosmetic fillings, also known as composite fillings or tooth-colored fillings, are a tooth-colored alternative to traditional amalgam fillings. They are made of composite plastic resin and look just like natural teeth.

Amalgam fillings are much darker than natural tooth structures, so they stand out in sharp contrast with the color of your teeth. This is sometimes called the “metal mouth” look. Amalgams can corrode and leak over time, potentially staining teeth. Additionally, many are now concerned about the health consequences of mercury content in amalgams.

The most obvious advantage of cosmetic fillings is that they are nearly invisible in your mouth. They won’t stand out as dark spots in that beautiful smile you’ve been working hard to get. Cosmetic fillings bond tightly to your existing teeth and work extremely well for small cavities. There is obviously no danger of metal-sensitivity.

Anyone who has a filling in their mouth or needs a cavity filled should certainly ask our dentists about cosmetic fillings. They are strong and durable and look almost invisible. If you want the very best for your smile, then you want to use materials that appear very natural and tooth-like. That is exactly what cosmetic fillings were designed for.

It’s very likely that you can since removing the old amalgam is usually a quick and easy procedure. Your North Valdosta Dental Care dentist will have to examine the tooth structure under and around the old filling to see if more extensive dental work is necessary, but if not, they can give you a new cosmetic filling in the same appointment.

Once the cavity has been treated or the old amalgam filling has been removed. Your dentist will prepare the tooth so that it is ready to bond tightly with the new filling. The filling is made of composite, a plastic resin that is very flexible and can be molded like putty. They will apply the resin in layers, hardening each layer as they go with high-intensity light. This is a one-appointment procedure that gives beautiful, long-lasting results.