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DENTAL FILLINGS
DENTAL FILLINGS
REPAIR TEETH WITH TOOTH-COLORED FILLINGS
While silver fillings may have protected teeth, they did not exactly look natural once placed and can lead to serious problems such as cracked teeth. Instead of settling for a metal mouth, you can restore your smile using materials that are entirely metal-free! We do this using composite resin, which is a tooth-colored option that can be shaded to perfectly blend in with your smile. As an expert in cosmetic dentistry, Dr. Sharp will make sure your tooth comes out not only functionally restored, but cosmetically as well.
What Steps Are Involved in Filling a Tooth?
First, Dr. Sharp will use a local anesthetic to numb the area around the tooth to be filled. Next, a drill, air abrasion instrument, or laser will be used to remove the decayed area. The choice of instrument depends on the individual dentist's comfort level, training, and investment in the particular piece of equipment as well as the location and extent of the decay.
Next, Dr. Sharp will probe or test the area to determine if all the decay has been removed. Once the decay has been removed, she will prepare the space for the filling by cleaning the cavity of bacteria and debris. If the decay is near the root, she may first put in a liner made of glass ionomer, composite resin, or other material to protect the nerve. Generally, after the filling is in they will finish and polish it.
Several additional steps are required for tooth-colored fillings and are as follows: After your dentist has removed the decay and cleaned the area, the tooth-colored material is applied in layers. Next, a special light that "cures" or hardens each layer is applied. When the multilayering process is completed, she will shape the composite material to the desired result, trim off any excess material, and polish the final restoration.
