Silver fillings might be in your past, but they don’t have to be part of your future. At Porter Dental Clinic, experienced, patient-centric dentists Dr. Lance Porter and Dr. Will Warren provide high-quality dental care focusing on every aspect of your oral health: Comfort, function, and appearance.
Tooth-colored fillings cover all of those aspects, they’re a natural fit for patients with cavities. Here are three reasons why we love them.
Natural Appearance
Tooth-colored fillings are designed to blend seamlessly with your natural teeth. Our dentists expertly use a shade guide to match your tooth’s natural color.
This attention to detail ensures your filling looks natural and matches well with your repaired tooth and surrounding teeth. This natural look is especially appealing for those who need fillings in the most visible areas of the mouth, such as the front “smile” teeth.
After choosing the right shade, your dentist applies the material (composite resin) in layers, sculpting and shaping it to match your tooth’s original dimensions and appearance. After each layer, they use a curing light to harden it so it’s permanently part of your tooth.
Strong, Long-Lasting Protection
Tooth-colored fillings aren’t just about looks; they’re about function and longevity, too. We use durable, high-tech materials to withstand the daily pressures of chewing and biting. Our fillings offer dependable protection against further decay, helping you maintain healthy teeth for years.
Metal fillings can grow and shrink when exposed to cold or hot temperatures. This can endanger the tooth, potentially even causing parts of the tooth to fracture and break off over time. The composite resin in tooth-colored fillings bonds directly to your tooth, creating a strong and sturdy seal. This makes them less likely to crack or fall out than traditional metal fillings.
Natural Tooth Preservation
One of the most important advantages of tooth-colored fillings is their ability to preserve more of your natural tooth structure. Traditional metal fillings often require the removal of a significant portion of the healthy tooth.
With composite resin, our dentists only need to remove minimal natural tooth structure to bond the filling directly to the tooth. Maintaining your tooth’s natural strength and integrity promotes better long-term oral health. Preserving more of your natural teeth makes you less likely to experience complications or additional tooth decay. It’s a win-win situation for both aesthetics and functionality!
Additional Advantage: No Metal!
There’s lots to love about tooth-colored fillings—so much so that we wanted to mention a bonus benefit. Silver fillings are about half mercury by weight. Many patients feel strongly about avoiding mercury in their mouth, and tooth-colored fillings allow you to do that.
Tooth-Colored Fillings in Hot Springs, AR
If you need a filling, we’re here to ensure you receive high-quality care that prioritizes your comfort, dental health, and beautiful smile. Call Porter Dental Clinic at 501-624-2778 in Hot Springs, AR to schedule your consultation.