Tooth-Colored Fillings (Composite Fillings for Dental Cavities) – Dallas/Fort Worth/Arlington, TX

Dental cavities are a common problem that develop when bacteria eats away at your enamel. Previously, cavities were treated with an amalgam material, a mixture of metals, including mercury or silver. We now know that these fillings don’t fuse fully with the enamel and the mercury may be hazardous to your general health. At Ah! Dentistry in the DFW area, our experienced dental team uses tooth-colored fillings made with a composite resin to fill cavities and protect the tooth. We can also take out metal fillings and apply composite resin fillings for a more reliable and attractive treatment for cavities.

Composite resin tooth-colored fillings typically seal the area of decay in the enamel of the tooth once it has been cleaned out. Composite resin is a useful material that may be used to correct other concerns with your teeth, such as chips or wear on the enamel by bruxism (teeth grinding). Since the material is tinted to blend with your teeth, fillings may be placed on the back and front teeth for a great result. If you have amalgam fillings, talk to your Ah! Dentistry dentist about getting them taken out and redone with composite resin.

Receiving a filling with composite resin at Ah! Dentistry is generally a quick treatment. The treatment area will be numbed to help you feel more comfortable. Stronger sedation methods may be considered for any anxieties or fears to keep you relaxed. As soon as you are ready, the affected enamel can be treated using a special drill that will be chosen based upon the location of the cavity and the amount of decay. Once the enamel is cleared away and the area is disinfected, the cavity will be replaced with the composite resin material and hardened. The composite resin will be smoothed so it matches your other teeth.

You will be able to get back to your day once your tooth-colored filling is complete, but you may notice a sensitivity to cold and hot food and beverages for several days. You can use nonprescription pain medicine to minimize discomfort or inflammation; however, you should not experience any serious problems. If your filling seems uneven or high, please call us. Your filling should be cleaned by following a regular home care routine, including daily flossing and brushing. When you return for your annual dental examination, we will check your filling to determine if it should be replaced or repaired.

Composite resin fillings are a standard treatment for dental cavities that are typically covered in part by insurance. One of our team members will talk to your dental insurance company to understand your coverage so we can calculate your out-of-pocket costs. If you do not have dental insurance, we will talk about the payment methods we accept at your appointment, plus information on medical financing.