Tooth-Colored Fillings

A tooth colored filling restores your tooth’s integrity without metal or other materials you can see when you smile. Sean Monaghan, DMD, Gina Petrarca, DDS, and the team at Cole Street Dental in Enumclaw, Washington, use tooth colored fillings to safely fill cavities and repair broken teeth. Call Cole Street Dental or schedule an appointment online to find out if you need a tooth colored filling today.

How do tooth-colored fillings restore teeth?

Tooth-colored fillings replace decayed areas of a tooth to maintain its original shape and structure. If you get a cavity, your dentist must remove the decayed portions of the tooth and replace them with fillings. You can also get a filling to repair a broken tooth. 

Traditional fillings were made from metal, but Cole Street Dental offers durable dental composite fillings as an alternative. An advantage of dental composite is that your dentist can choose the shade of the filling so it matches your natural teeth. That way, you won’t be able to see the filling unless you look closely. 

Silver fillings also contain mercury which can be harmful to your health. Tooth-colored fillings are mercury-free and aesthetically preferable for many people.

What should I expect while getting tooth-colored fillings?

During your visit to Cole Street Dental, the team carefully removes any areas of decay after numbing your tooth with local anesthesia. They clean your tooth thoroughly to ensure they eliminate all the bacteria. 

Once your tooth is sanitized, the team applies the composite resin in layers. It comes in a putty-like material they can build up into the desired shape. Then, the team hardens each layer of the composite resin using a curing light. Once the filling is hardened, the team trims and shapes the composite material so it blends in with the natural shape of your tooth. 

How should I take care of my tooth colored fillings?

Caring for your fillings ensures you won’t experience any complications later on, like more tooth decay or interference with your bite. Fortunately, caring for tooth colored fillings is easy because they don’t require much additional care beyond your typical oral hygiene routine. 

The Cole Street Dental team recommends:

• Getting professional cleanings once every six months
• Brushing with a fluoride toothpaste every day
• Flossing your teeth at least once a day
• Eating a balanced diet with limited sugar

Report an issue immediately if your teeth don’t feel like they fit together anymore as this could mean your filling doesn’t fit or it’s broken. Sometimes fillings need to be adjusted or replaced, but you can expect a tooth colored filling to last an average of seven years. 

Schedule an appointment over the phone or online at Cole Street Dental to find out if you need a tooth colored filling today.