Tooth-Colored Fillings – Baltimore, MD

A Realistic Repair for Dental Decay

Did you know that, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), an estimated 91% of American adults have at least one cavity? This prevalent problem can start small, but it likely won’t resolve itself. Once the structure of your tooth is compromised, it’s vulnerable to additional damage and decay until it’s mended.

Fortunately, our Baltimore Dental Arts team provides a realistic repair for dental decay with tooth-colored fillings. These lifelike restorations preserve your injured enamel while halting the progress of cavities to safeguard your smile. Continue reading to learn more about the procedure, and feel free to contact us if you have additional questions.

Closeup of a tooth reflected in dental mirror

Why Choose Baltimore Dental Arts for Tooth-Colored Fillings?

Dental Team with Decades of Combined Experience
Member of the American Dental Association
Advanced Technology to Enhance Patient Comfort

What are Tooth-Colored Fillings?

Illustration of a tooth-colored filling next to silver and gold fillings

In the past, dentists relied on amalgam fillings made from durable metallic mixtures to address tooth decay. While these materials are quite resilient, they also conduct temperatures into the tender nerves in your teeth, increasing the likelihood of sensitivity. Plus, some people are allergic and can have an adverse reaction.

Thanks to more recent developments in dental technology and techniques, today our team provides lifelike tooth-colored fillings made from composite resin. This material reflects light like enamel and can be customized to match your natural teeth for seamless results. It’s also considered safer for most people because the materials are biocompatible and not likely to cause sensitivity.

The Process of Getting a Tooth-Colored Filling

Dentist hardening woman’s filling with ultraviolet light

Although it can vary based on your unique circumstances, typically the entire procedure can be completed in a single visit. First, one of our providers will examine your mouth and inject a local anesthetic around the affected tooth to help you feel comfortable the entire time. Then, we’ll gently clean it by removing decayed or diseased material and sanitizing it to eradicate germs.

Next, we apply color-matched resin directly to your enamel in layers to restore the missing structure. Once it’s in place, we’ll harden it with a special ultraviolet curing light and sculpt it into the ideal shape before polishing it to a shine. This often only takes an hour from start to finish, but it could be more or less depending on your individual situation.

The Benefits of Tooth-Colored Fillings

Dentist demonstrating tooth-colored filling process on large model tooth

There are many advantages to getting a tooth-colored filling in Baltimore, including:

Tooth preservation. More of the original structure of your teeth is preserved than with amalgam fillings because the material bonds with your enamel.
Safer supplies. You’re less likely to experience allergies or sensitivity with composite resin than metallic alloys.
Boost confidence. These restorations are made to look as lifelike as possible so you look and feel like the most attractive version of yourself.
Long-lasting. The repairs can last anywhere from 5 to 10+ years if they’re cared for correctly.
Easy maintenance. Keeping them in great shape is as easy as brushing and flossing twice daily and visiting our team every six months for a routine visit.