Overview
Cavities, one of the most common dental problems, are created when bacterial toxins begin to break down your dental enamel. In the past, dental cavities were filled with a material called amalgam, which is a mixture of metals, including silver or mercury. Now we know that amalgam fillings do not fuse fully with the teeth, and the mercury may be dangerous to your general health. At Orlando Advanced Dentists in Orlando, FL, skilled cosmetic dentist Dr. Patricia Roach offers tooth-colored fillings made from composite resin to fill dental cavities and protect teeth. Dr. Roach can also remove old metal fillings and replace them with tooth-colored fillings to provide a safer and better-looking treatment option for restoring oral health and function.
Reviews
Best Candidates
Using composite resin material to restore teeth with mild to moderate cavities or damage allows Dr. Roach to offer a conservative approach to dental care. Tooth-colored composite fillings rebuild an area of decay or damage in the tooth after it has been treated and cleared away by Dr. Roach. Composite resin is a versatile material that can be used to correct other concerns with your teeth, including chips, fractures, or wear in the enamel caused by teeth grinding (bruxism). Since the composite resin is colored to match your natural tooth structure, fillings can be used on both the front and back teeth for a seamless result. If you have metal fillings, talk to Dr. Roach about having them removed and replaced with tooth-colored fillings.
What To Expect
Getting a filling with composite resin at Orlando Advanced Dentists is generally a quick treatment. The area of your mouth surrounding the cavity or damage will be numbed with a local anesthetic to minimize your discomfort. If you have any anxieties or fears, other forms of sedation can be discussed to help keep you relaxed during the procedure. As soon as you are prepared, the affected enamel is treated with a special dental instrument that Dr. Roach will select based on where the cavity is located in the tooth and the level of decay. She and our team take the time and special care to properly remove all traces of decay. After the damage is cleared away and the tooth is thoroughly disinfected, the cavity will be filled with the composite resin material and hardened. Dr. Roach will polish the composite resin so it feels comfortable and matches your surrounding teeth for a natural look, finish, and feel. Our unique approach to treating damaged teeth helps ensure the longevity and quality of your new tooth-colored restoration.
Recovery
You should be able to get back to your normal day after your filling is done, but you might have some sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures for several days. Taking over-the-counter pain medicine can help to minimize discomfort or inflammation as your mouth recovers. You should not have any major issues. However, if after a few days the filling feels uneven or high, please contact our office so that we can get you back in for a quick adjustment. Your tooth-colored filling can be kept clean by following a normal home oral care routine with daily brushing and flossing. When you return for your annual dental examination visits, Dr. Roach will continually assess your filling and let you know if it needs to be repaired or replaced at any point.
Tooth-Colored Fillings
Cavities in the teeth may start as a small issue, but it is important to have them addressed before they become a more extensive and costly concern. At Orlando Advanced Dentists in Orlando, FL, early to moderate cavities often can be addressed conservatively with tooth-colored composite fillings. Dr. Roach is highly skilled at matching composite material to the color of your natural teeth so you get a healthy, beautiful smile. If you suspect that you or a family member has a cavity, contact our office right away to schedule a dental examination with Dr. Roach.