The choice of a dentist in Winston-Salem, NC, is an important one; you want a dental office that genuinely cares about your oral health, but you also want a dentist who will listen to you and help you make informed decisions about any dental work you may need. If that sounds good to you, look no further than the office of Jeffrey J. Tibbs, DDS.
Our dental team prides itself on ensuring a comfortable and stress-free dental experience. We will treat you with kindness and compassion from the moment you walk through the doors of our dental office; our goal is to create long-term relationships with our patients.
We offer an extensive array of cosmetic dentistry options, including tooth-colored fillings. Gone are the days of unattractive and noticeable dark metal fillings that may cause you to cover your mouth when you smile. So, what are tooth-colored fillings, and why should you consider them from Jeffrey J. Tibbs, DDS?
Understanding Tooth-Colored Fillings
The first step in understanding tooth-colored fillings, or composite resin, is to realize that they are made from resin and glass particles. By blending these two ingredients, you can achieve the closest thing to your actual tooth in terms of translucency and strength. Not only that, but tooth-colored composites can protect your teeth from wearing down, as well as match the color of your natural tooth.
Comparing Tooth-Colored Fillings to Metal Fillings
In our dental office, we opt for tooth-colored fillings for a variety of reasons, but it’s essential to understand the basics of metal fillings to see why. Metal fillings are referred to as dental amalgam and have been used in dentistry for a very long time; they are made of an alloy consisting of mercury, copper, silver, and tin. Although metal fillings serve their purpose in modern dentistry, there are certain issues with them, including the following:
- Metal fillings are much more visible than tooth-colored fillings.
- Metal fillings get darker as time goes by and can even turn black.
- Metal fillings that contain mercury are a cause for concern for some patients.
- Metal fillings can leach into your tooth, making your tooth appear gray.
Advantages of Tooth-Colored Fillings
There are several advantages to using tooth-colored fillings, and at Jeffrey J. Tibbs, DDS, we rely on them for the following reasons:
1. The glass and resin composite filling material looks similar to your dental enamel, so we can match your natural tooth color.
2. Tooth-colored fillings can fix cosmetic flaws such as chipped teeth, gaps and spaces between teeth, or cracked teeth. They can even reshape your teeth to give you a more beautiful, seamless smile.
3. When we place a tooth-colored filling in your mouth, we can do so without removing much of your tooth’s structure because the composite material is bonded directly to your tooth.
4. Tooth-colored fillings strengthen and restore your tooth.
What Is the Tooth-Colored Filling Procedure?
When you visit our dental office for a tooth-colored composite filling, you can expect it to take only one dental visit. Before your treatment, we will discuss your treatment plan and explain the following process to you:
- First, we will numb your tooth with a local anesthetic. You won’t feel anything during the procedure.
- Next, an etching agent will be applied to your tooth to create a bond between your natural tooth and your new filling.
- A curing light will be used to harden the etching agent and set it in place.
- Finally, your new tooth-colored filling will be shaped and polished to ensure it blends well and that your bite feels normal.
If, after your procedure, you experience any tooth sensitivity, we can take steps to help you with that, so you can contact us if that’s the case.
Maintaining and Caring for Tooth-Colored Fillings
After your tooth-colored filling procedure, your mouth will be numb for a few hours, so you should be careful not to chew anything on that side of your mouth until the anesthetic wears off. You don’t want to bite your cheek or tongue by mistake.
However, you can eat and drink normally once the numbness wears off.
In caring for your new tooth-colored filling, you should maintain good oral hygiene by brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing your teeth at least once a day. In addition, make sure to visit our dental office at least twice a year for professional dental cleanings. If you follow these steps, there is less chance you will develop further tooth decay.
Are You Interested in Dental Fillings in Winston-Salem?
If you need a dentist in Winston-Salem and would like to speak with a member of our dental team, we would love to hear from you! At Jeffrey J. Tibbs, DDS, we aim to help you achieve oral health and a beautiful smile. Tooth-colored fillings and other cosmetic dentistry can help you do just that. Please get in touch with our dental office at (336) 765-7477 for more information or to schedule an appointment.