The Advantages of Tooth-Colored Fillings for a Beautiful Smile

Do you feel self-conscious when your smile reveals silver or grey fillings? Are you dreaming about a brilliant white smile? Tooth-colored fillings match the natural appearance of your teeth to help give you a perfect smile.

If you want to learn more about tooth-colored fillings and whether you can replace your existing fillings, then we encourage you to schedule a consultation. You’ll meet with Dr. Joanna Claustro at Joanna Claustro DMD & Associates in Ashburn, VA for a full dental exam and to discuss tooth-colored fillings.

All about tooth-colored fillings

Cavities are a widespread problem in adults and children. They occur when bacteria breach your dental enamel. For decades, many dentists have regularly treated cavities with an amalgam material, which is a mixture of silver and mercury. The fillings appear silver or grey in color and stand out in contrast against the natural white appearance of teeth. Unfortunately, amalgam fillings often fail to bond with enamel, and the level of mercury in the fillings can lead to health problems in some patients.

Dr. Claustro at Joanna Claustro DMD & Associates in Ashburn, VA uses only tooth-colored fillings (she does not use= amalgam filling materials) that are made from a composite resin material. The substance effectively fills and protects your teeth from cavities.

If you have old fillings, Dr. Claustro will remove them and replace the old fillings with safer and more visually appealing tooth-colored fillings.

Receiving tooth-colored fillings

During your dental visit, Dr. Claustro and her dental team will numb the treatment area using a local anesthetic so you do not feel discomfort. Some patients who suffer from anxiety or will be undergoing extensive dental treatments will be offered stronger types of sedation to ensure comfort during the entire process.

The cavity decay on the tooth enamel is removed using a dental drill. The time and extent of the treatment vary depending on the location and degree of decay. After drilling away the decay, the area is thoroughly cleaned, and a composite resin-filling material is placed in the tooth and allowed to set. After hardening, the composite resin filling is smoothed out to ensure that it matches the surrounding teeth in color and texture.

What are composite fillings?

Tooth-colored fillings are referred to as composite fillings. They are a form of dental restoration designed to appear like your natural tooth, so no one will know that you have had a cavity or needed dental work. Composite fillings blend nicely with your surrounding teeth and appear more natural than traditional amalgam fillings, which are gray or silver in coloration and very noticeable.

Schedule a tooth-colored filling consultation in Ashburn, VA

If you have decay that needs to be filled or want your amalgam fillings replaced with tooth-colored fillings, then we encourage you to meet with Dr. Joanna Claustro at Joanna Claustro DMD & Associates in Ashburn, VA. She will answer your questions and determine if tooth-colored fillings are the right choice for your needs. Contact us to learn more.