Tooth-Colored Fillings
Cavities are a kind of dental issue that we at Canyon View Dental help resolve every day. In fact, caring for cavities promptly is one of the most important ways to maintain your oral health and prevent the onset of much more severe conditions. Filling a cavity is like fixing a slow leak in your car’s tire: it’s better to fix the problem while it’s small and before it leaves you stranded.
Suppose you need a cavity filled but are concerned about the visibility of the old, silver amalgam filling. In that case, Dr. Cara McCallum has just the thing you need: tooth-colored composite fillings. Composite fillings are a mixture of resins, tiny glass beads, and coloring agents that together appear very much like natural tooth enamel. With this option, even your closest friends won’t be able to see your fillings.
Why Tooth Cavities Should Be Filled Promptly
A cavity forms in your tooth when decay has progressed to the point where it has entirely bored through your tooth’s outer layer. So as the name suggests, a cavity is a hole in your tooth, and like a pothole in a well-traveled road, that hole will only get bigger. Therefore, any delay in treating your cavities could lead to a need for more extensive care, such as root canal therapy.
The most dangerous thing about a cavity is its subtlety. You may not even be aware that you have one. Early signs that a cavity is developing are:
- Minor tooth discoloration
- Slight tooth pain but in a particular spot
- Sensitivity to hot or cold
- A small hole could be visible even if no other symptoms present
If you’re experiencing any of these sensations, the team at Canyon View Dentistry can fill your cavity with durable and attractive materials to help protect your oral health for many years.
What Is a Composite Filling?
Tooth-colored fillings are a mixture of colorants, glass particles, and resins that create a look similar to tooth enamel. Dr. McCallum will apply the material to your tooth in sequenced layers, each hardened using a special blue light. Unlike metallic fillings, composites allow us to design an accurate restoration that gives you a seamless repair.
Expert Techniques for Long-Lasting Dental Fillings
Dr. McCallum has the experience and expertise to ensure your white fillings feel great and last for years. We consider our methods and material selection to create the best solution for your particular cavity’s location and severity. Our goal is to preserve your teeth for as long as possible, even if you have multiple cavities.
Another advantage to composite fillings is how well they adhere to your tooth. The old silver filling material functioned in a way that forced us to remove a large amount of your tooth to make sure the filling would hold. With tooth-colored fillings, the opposite is true. Once we have removed the damaged parts of the tooth, we can stop drilling with the confidence that your new tooth-colored filling will adhere firmly.
How Is a Composite Filling Placed?
To place a composite filling, the dentist will numb the area if necessary and remove any decay. The remaining tooth structure is then etched to create a rough surface to which the composite can bond.
Our dentist will match the shade of your natural tooth and mix up a composite that we apply in layers with curing between each layer. Once built up, Dr. McCallum will shape the filling to the contour of your bite. The final result is a natural, polished, and smooth look.
Tooth-Colored Fillings Are an Ideal Way to Correct Cavities
At Canyon View Dental, our goal is to earn your trust. Hopefully, you won’t wait to get treatment when you are comfortable knowing why you need a filling. So contact our Ken Caryl office today to make an appointment and learn more about tooth-colored composite fillings.
Cara McCallum
Dentist
Dr. Cara McCallum leads the team at Canyon View Dentistry, practicing enthusiastically and with a commitment to creating and maintaining beautiful smiles. She attended Marquette University and earned a BS in Biological Sciences. Emerging from her undergraduate career with an interest in dentistry, Dr. McCallum finished her DDS work at Baylor College of Dentistry.
What she values about being a dentist is how rewarding it is to make substantial, personal connections with her patients to help them achieve a smile they are proud to show off.
Dr. McCallum lives in Littleton with …
“5 STAR EXPERIENCE! I don’t know about you but I dread going to the dentist. I had two teeth that needed fixing but I have been dragging myself because I can’t deal with waiting for crown for at least a week. So today I went to my appointment to this new dentist and IT FELT LIKE I AM AT THE SPA! They had a blanket to cover my feet, a warm wet towel for my chest, back message from the chair, and netflix. The people are super nice and friendly – it start from the moment you walk in to the moment you leave. I could stay there forever! They have super nice office you will really feel you are at the spa! I can’t wait be back to this SPA – yes it is a SPA to me for my next appointment for my crown. I did not have fear I usually get of seeing the dentist.” -Tisi