Tooth-Colored Fillings – Petaluma, CA 

In years past, patients with cavities or tooth decay didn’t have much of a choice when it came to repairing their teeth with fillings. Most patients were given the same amalgam metal restorations that despite protecting the underlying tooth, left unsightly dark spots in the smile. Worse yet, recent studies have found that those old-fashioned metal fillings could be harmful to your health. The good news is that today, tooth-colored or “white” fillings are just as durable and effective as metal fillings, but they’re much safer and blend discreetly into your smile at the same time. Here’s more about these dynamic, beautiful restorations.

What Are Tooth-Colored Fillings?

A dental filling repairs the structure of a tooth that has been damaged due to decay or cavities (caries), protecting the tooth and keeping it healthier in the long run. Today’s tooth-colored fillings are made of a durable, composite resin which begins as a putty-like mixture comprised of ultrafine plastic and glass particles. In fact, unlike other types of fillings, tooth-colored (also known as “white” fillings) have no metals at all, which means they may be safer than amalgam fillings.

True to their name, tooth-colored fillings can be shaded to match your own natural tooth color, so unlike with metal fillings, nobody will ever know that you had a cavity when you open your mouth to eat, speak, or smile.

The Process of Getting a Tooth-Colored Filling

Getting a tooth-colored filling is an extremely fast and convenient treatment. In fact, it can usually be done in just one appointment that lasts around an hour. To get a tooth-colored filling, first Dr. Koenitzer will numb the area of your mouth where the filling will be placed. Then, once you’re comfortable, he will remove any areas of decay on the tooth’s enamel and sanitize the tooth. Next, he will apply the color-matched composite to your tooth in layers until all the lost enamel is restored. The composite will then be hardened with an ultraviolet curing light. After a few seconds under the light (which is completely painless), he will sculpt and reshape the tooth, removing any excess material, and polish it to perfection so it both looks and feels like a complete, healthy tooth!

The Benefits of Tooth-Colored Fillings

When it comes to deciding between tooth-colored and amalgam fillings, the benefits are clear. Unlike dark metal, white fillings blend seamlessly into your smile. Not only is the resin custom-shaded, but it will not cause the surrounding tooth to appear gray over time like metal fillings sometimes do. Furthermore, because the composite resin directly bonds to the tooth, it creates a more stable attachment than metal.

With tooth-colored fillings, Dr. Koenitzer removes less enamel to make room for the restoration, which means he can preserve more of your natural tooth structure.

Tooth-colored fillings are also ideal for patients with metal sensitivities or allergies, and because the material bonds to your enamel, the resin does a better job at shielding the nerves in your tooth from aggravating stimuli. Conversely, metal fillings can expand and contract when exposed to hot and cold foods and beverages, increasing tooth sensitivity and increasing the risk of your tooth chipping, cracking, or fracturing with time.

Finally, tooth-colored fillings can last up to seven years, and require no special care beyond brushing and flossing and visiting Dr. Koenitzer for your regular exam and cleaning appointments.