For many years, getting a tooth filling meant adding metal to your smile. Amalgam fillings were used for decades as the economical option for repair teeth. Metal fillings are still used, but there are other cosmetic dentistry options to repair your teeth. At Carrington Square Dental in Waxhaw, NC, we offer white composite fillings that match your teeth color for discreet tooth repairs.
There are several reasons you might need a dental filling. Cavities are the most common reason – kids usually get their first filling due to cavities in their teeth. Other tooth damage can also require a filling or dental bonding to repair the tooth. Cracks or chips are repaired with fillings. To maintain a white smile, composite fillings or bonding can be used to match your tooth color. Unlike amalgam metal fillings, composite fillings are color-matched to the tooth and do not contain substances like mercury that may be harmful to your health.
What is a Composite Resin?
Tooth-colored fillings and dental bonding are made from composite resin. This substance is very versatile and can be used for a wide variety of dental and cosmetic treatments. Composite resin is made from a combination of plastic and ceramics. The putty-like substance is molded to the tooth. The tooth surface is first etched to allow it to bond easier to the resin, then the resin is cured or hardened using a special light. Once the resin is cured, it is polished and smoothed to create a natural finish on the tooth.
Composite resin can be used for white fillings in tooth repairs. It can also be used for cosmetic dental bonding to improve the appearance of the smile. Dental bonding can be used to change the shape of teeth to close gaps in your smile. It can also hide chips or stains on the teeth. Composite resin fillings and bonding are usually performed in one visit to our office, and the process is quick and painless.
When you need a tooth repair or want to hide a dental flaw, composite fillings or bonding can be the solution. Carrington Square Dental is happy to offer white fillings and cosmetic dental bonding for our patients at our practice in Waxhaw, NC. Contact our dental practice today to schedule your next visit, and ask about our tooth-colored fillings and bonding treatments.