It used to be that if you needed a filling, your only choice was metal. Though these restorations were durable, they weren’t exactly attractive. In fact, depending on their placement, when you would open your mouth to speak, everyone who could see your mouth could tell you had them.
Thankfully today you no longer need to worry about obvious repairs, thanks to tooth-colored fillings. Tooth colored fillings use a natural-looking resin composite that can be customized to the shade of your teeth, so it blends in seamlessly. In fact, it looks and feels so natural that you might even forget you have it!
Tooth-colored fillings are fillings that are made with a durable composite resin that matches the shade of your natural tooth. Composite resin is a material made of glass, plastic, and other organic and inorganic materials that can be molded into any shape you desire, much like putty. These fillings are less obvious than those old-fashioned metal restorations many people received growing up, so your teeth look cleaner and healthier, and there’s no need to be embarrassed when you open your mouth. They are also very durable and can last up to ten years before they need replacing.
The process of getting a tooth-colored filling is nearly the same as getting any other type of filling. First, your dentist will remove the damaged area of your tooth. Next, they will match the color of the composite resin to your teeth so you cannot tell there is a filling in the tooth, and then they will use the material to repair the area. Once your filling is in place, your dentist will harden the material using a special light. Your restoration should require no down time, and you can begin eating and drinking immediately after your procedure.
Tooth-colored fillings offer many benefits over traditional metal fillings. First, because they are tooth-colored, they’re more discreet than metal fillings. Thus, there’s no need to be embarrassed by dark spots in your smile. Because they are made with a durable resin composite, they are long-lasting, providing ample protection to your tooth and helping to prevent further damage. They can even be used to chew a variety of healthy foods, just as your natural teeth can.
Because they are restorations, tooth-colored fillings are often partially covered by dental insurance, so be sure to inquire about your financial responsibility during your appointment.