By Emily Weaver—Dental Assistant
About Tooth Colored Fillings
A tooth colored filling is also called a composite filling. The main advantage of a composite filling is the aesthetic appeal. The dentist or dental assistant chooses a shade (color) in order to provide you with a customized filling that matches the color of your natural teeth. Composite fillings are bonded to the tooth to better support the structure of the tooth; help prevent decay and the tooth breaking.
After the procedure it will look you will be unable to detect what teeth had been treated. Amalgam (silver) fillings are grey and are easily spotted whereas the composite filling matches the surrounding teeth and look like your natural teeth. Composite fillings are used if your teeth have decay, cracked or broken teeth, to close a space between two teeth, or if your teeth are worn or chipped. During a composite filling procedure, the tooth is prepped, and any decay is removed. The tooth is then bonded, filled with composite material, smoothed; then the bite is checked and adjusted. It is normal to experience sensitivity to hot and cold when the composite fillings are first placed but will subside shortly after your tooth acclimates to the new filling.
About Porcelain Crowns
A porcelain crown is a tooth-colored crown that serves as a replacement of the tooth’s natural crown and helps to improve function and aesthetics. You may need a crown if the tooth is broken or fractured, for cosmetic enhancement, to restore decayed teeth, to preserve large fillings, or if the tooth has had a root canal. During a crown procedure, the tooth is prepared by removing any decay and shaping the tooth for the crown. An impression or scan of the tooth is made to fabricate the crown. A temporary crown is worn until the final crown is made and delivered. This is usually a two-appointment procedure. A porcelain crown is matched to the rest of the teeth to provide a natural and uniform look. Crowns help to prevent the loss of teeth. Without a crown, a weak tooth cannot withstand the pressure of chewing. It is the best idea to preserve a natural tooth if at all possible. A crown also helps to replace a missing tooth with the placement of an implant, by replacing a missing tooth. This prevents the teeth that are remaining from shifting.
Get More Info
The dental staff at Carlyle Dental can explain crowns and tooth colored fillings during your appointment. It’s important that you understand your treatment options and we’re more than happy to explain why we recommend a certain treatment. To learn more contact Carlyle Dental today.