Tooth Colored Dental Fillings In Westwood

There are several types of dental fillings, but the most popular ones today are the tooth-colored composites. These fillings are made in a way to mimic the natural appearance of your teeth, plus they’re strong enough to restore the form and function of a chipped or decayed tooth. Moreover, they can be used to treat very small cavities that are hard to fill using other materials like amalgam. Another advantage of tooth-colored composite fillings is that they are easy to repair. Fillings tend to wear over time,and may be damaged in the event of an accident. Composite fillings can be easily reapplied without having to remove the original filling. 

What to expect with natural tooth colored fillings

The placement of dental fillings involves a simple procedure that is completed in a single visit, during which the dentist will clean the tooth and bond the filling material. For decayed teeth, the preparation will involve removing the decay and cleaning the site to avoid trapping bacteria that may erode the tooth after restoration. As such, the site must be kept completely dry and free from saliva. 

The dentist then carefully applies adhesive before putting the tooth-colored material in multiple layers to achieve the desired shape and size of the restored tooth. When the final form has been obtained, it is cured using a special light to harden the material. The whole procedure takes only a few minutes. The dentist will then inform you on ways to care for your teeth to maximize the longevity of the restoration. 

Are tooth-colored fillings in Westwood right for me?

There are different types of white fillings, including composite and porcelain. Composites are preferred because they’re affordable and don’t require much tooth preparation before applying the filling. Porcelain fillings provide a more durable restoration, but are more expensive. As such, they’re mostly used for repairing the back teeth. 

Your dentist in Westwood / West Los Angeles may recommend porcelain or ceramic onlays and inlays to restore severely damaged teeth due to wear or decay. Please visit your dentist to discuss the best ways to restore your damaged teeth.