Lowcountry Family Dentistry offers composite or tooth-colored dental fillings. Not only do they restore your tooth’s health, but they mimic your own natural teeth and are simply unnoticeable.

When your tooth starts decaying for a number of reasons, cavities form inside the teeth. If you don’t fill up these cavities on time, they can grow larger and eventually lead to complete tooth decay. That may necessitate complex procedures like a root canal or even a complete tooth extraction.

That’s where dental fillings come in. Fillings are simply materials used to fill the cracked or broken teeth from which the decayed material has been extracted. There are a number of different types of dental fillings out there. Traditionally, most dentists used amalgam fillings that could easily be spotted, which made them visually unappealing.

At Lowcountry Family Dentistry we offer composite or tooth-colored dental fillings. Not only do they restore your tooth’s health, but they mimic your own natural teeth and are most aesthetically pleasing.

Types of Tooth Colored Fillings

There are a number of different types of tooth fillings available — gold, silver amalgam, plastic, composite resin, glass ionomer, or porcelain. However, out of these, composite resin and porcelain are the most effective tooth colored fillings with the greatest aesthetic advantages.

Composite Tooth Colored Fillings

Composite resins make for the most effective and strongest tooth colored fillings. They are extremely durable and they can resist fractures from moderate pressures like chewing and grinding. If you want your fillings to look completely natural, composite resin is a great option. Composite fillings aren’t as strong or durable as amalgam fillings, but you drastically increase their lifespan by brushing daily, flossing thoroughly, and eating nutritious dishes.

Temporary Fillings

Temporary fillings are those that last for a brief period, usually less than a month. They eventually fall out or fracture. Temporary fillings are used in the following situations:

  • If the permanent filling requires more than one session, the temporary filling is used as a placeholder.
  • Temporary fillings may be used after a root canal treatment.
  • If your tooth pulp is irritated, a temporary filling may be used till it settles down.
  • Temporary fillings may also be used during dental emergencies.

Porcelain Tooth Colored Fillings

Porcelain tooth colored fillings are more abrasive than composite fillings, but they’re also more resistant to stains. As such, you don’t have to worry about discoloration and yellowing of the filling. Furthermore, porcelain tooth colored fillings can also last around 15 years, making them highly durable.

The following are some of the primary advantages of porcelain tooth colored fillings:

  • Porcelain fillings are extremely strong and they don’t break or crack even under high amounts of pressure.
  • Unlike amalgam fillings, porcelain doesn’t lead to any allergic reactions so it can be used by anyone.
  • Porcelain closely resembles the color and texture of actual enamel. It’s largely transparent — just like enamel — and light bounces off it just as it does from enamel, which makes it look just like actual teeth.
  • Porcelain is also extremely resistant to stains and the surface texture reduces the risk of plaque and tartar accumulation. As such, porcelain tooth colored fillings are less likely to suffer from bacterial decay.

Dental Tooth Colored Fillings Procedure

The following steps are involved in a dental tooth colored fillings procedure:

  • The dentist uses local anesthesia to numb the area around the tooth before filling it.
  • The dentist uses an air abrasion instrument or drill to remove the decayed part of the teeth. The dentist will decide which instrument is best used for your teeth.
  • Next, the dentist has to make sure that all of the decay has been removed.
  • The cavity is thoroughly cleaned to get rid of all the bacteria and disease. In case the decay has spread near the root, the dentist may also use a composite resin or glass ionomer liner to protect the nerves.
  • The tooth colored filling is placed in several layers and a special light is used to harden the layers as the dentist goes along.
  • After the filling is placed in the cavity, the dentist polishes it and handles all final touches.

If your tooth is decayed or damaged, a dental filling may be a great choice for restoring your oral health and function. We invite you to call or visit us today to learn more about dental fillings and to schedule your next appointment with our team. We look forward to caring for your smile!

Schedule A Consultation

Dental fillings are an important part of treating tooth decay. At our Lady’s Island dentist office you can talk to Dr. Covington or Dr. DuRant about our cavity treatment options. Call 843-986-0177 or request an appointment online.