Tooth-Colored Fillings
OKC Dental Arts can repair cavities with advanced tooth-colored dental fillings at our Oklahoma City practice. Fillings will seal the spaces where bacteria can enter, preventing additional decay and promoting better oral health. Further, our composite restorations are quite durable, and they can preserve more of your tooth than traditional metal fillings. These restorations will be virtually identical to the shade of your tooth, ensuring a brilliant, beautiful smile for many years to come. Our office is comfortably furnished, and our team is committed to patient comfort. When you receive a filling at our practice, you can expect stress-free care and superior final results.
When Is A Filling Required?
Fillings are appropriate for small or medium-sized cavities. You can often prevent decay by brushing and flossing daily, minimizing your consumption of sugary foods, and making regular dental visits. Nonetheless, if a cavity does develop, Dr. Cord will closely examine your tooth to determine whether a filling is the right treatment for you. In cases of more widespread decay, she will typically recommend a larger restoration, such as a dental crown.
Our composite restorations are quite durable, and they can preserve more of your tooth than traditional metal fillings.
Dr. Cord also performs filling replacement. If you have an old, damaged restoration or a metal filling that has started to show through, they can place composite instead.
What To Expect During Treatment
Before you receive your filling, out dental team will administer local anesthetic to numb your tooth. Then we will reshape the decayed area, removing any bacteria and damaged tissue. Next, we will apply a special solution that will very lightly etch the inside of your tooth. With the increased surface area, the filling will have an even more secure bonding surface. Once all prep work is complete, our team will apply adhesives and the filling itself. Using a material that is carefully selected to match your tooth, we will place the filling layer by layer, hardening each one with a curing light. Finally, our dental team will remove any excess material to ensure an even bite, and he will polish the visible parts of the restoration.
Caring For Your Restoration
A filling will pose almost no risks. You may experience some minor sensitivity for a few days, especially in response to heat and cold. Immediately after you receive your filling, you should avoid particularly sticky or hard foods. However, you can quickly expand your diet within a few days. A tooth-colored filling can last for years, but of course, you must protect it properly. To preserve your restoration, maintain proper dental hygiene, visit the dentist regularly, and do not put unnecessary pressure on your tooth.
The Benefits Of Tooth-Colored Fillings
Made of metal or composite, all types of fillings can have important effects on your oral health. In addition to guarding against bacteria, a composite filling will also strengthen your damaged tooth, lowering your risk for cracks and other damage. At the same time, composite fillings offer unique advantages of their own. The most obvious benefit is that the material is more lifelike than metal. Second, composite will actually bond more securely to your tooth, providing better support and protection. Additionally, Dr. Cord will be able to save more natural tissue with this type of restoration and your tooth will be stronger over the long term. Finally, composite will not fluctuate with hot or cold temperatures. Metal, on the other hand, is very susceptible to such changes, and the fluctuations can weaken your tooth over time.
To learn more about composite fillings and if they are the best restoration for you, call (405) 848-6743 to schedule your appointment with Dr. Cord.
