Tooth-Colored Fillings – Fairfax, VA
A Beautiful Solution to Fix Cavities
Although a twice-daily dental hygiene routine can help prevent many common oral issues, there’s unfortunately no guarantee that you’ll never develop tooth decay. Bacteria in your mouth can thrive and produce acids that erode the protective outer layer of your teeth, detracting from their appearance and functionality.
If you have developed an issue, our team in Fairfax can provide a beautiful solution to fix cavities with tooth-colored fillings. Continue reading to learn more about this standard procedure, and please don’t hesitate to contact us to schedule an appointment.
Why Choose Fairfax Dental Group for Tooth-Colored Fillings?
- Award-Winning Providers with Decades of Experience
- Advanced Technology for Comfortable, Accurate Results
- Resilient, Customizable Materials
What are Tooth-Colored Fillings?
Historically, dentists relied on amalgam restorations made from mixtures of different metals, like silver, tin, copper, or zinc mixed with mercury as a liquid binding agent. Though durable, these materials don’t bond with enamel and often require that some of it be removed. They may also cause your tooth to appear darker in certain areas.
Today, our providers utilize tooth-colored composite resin that can be customized to match your enamel for seamless results. This biocompatible material bonds with your enamel, allowing us to preserve more of the natural structure of your teeth.
The Process of Getting a Tooth-Colored Filling
The process of placing a tooth-colored filling can typically be completed from start to finish in a single appointment, although it may vary slightly based on your unique circumstances. To begin, our team will apply a local anesthetic to numb the area and help you feel comfortable.
Then, we’ll gently remove any sections of damaged enamel before sanitizing your tooth to eliminate unhealthy bacteria. Next, we’ll apply the color-matched material in layers to reshape it and then harden the restoration in place with an ultraviolet curing light. Finally, we’ll trim away any excess material and polish the end result.
The Benefits of Tooth-Colored Fillings
There are many advantages of choosing this treatment to repair cavities, including:
- Preserve your enamel. Unlike with amalgam restorations, this material bonds with your tooth to retain more of its natural structure.
- Lifelike appearance. We’ll customize the composite resin to match your enamel for beautiful results that boost your confidence.
- Prevent additional harm. These repairs shield the underlying tooth from further damage or decay, allowing you to continue using it normally.
- Long-lasting solution. Your restoration can last anywhere from 5 to 10+ years if cared for correctly.
- Easy maintenance. Keeping it in good shape is as easy as brushing and flossing twice daily, and visiting our team every six months for routine visits.