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Tooth-colored fillings

What are fillings and what are they used for?

Fillings are a soft and malleable material that are used to repair smaller amounts of decay in teeth. The type of decay that fillings repair is often found on the chewing surface or in between the molars. The specific material used to fix the decay is often chosen based on the location and the severity of the cavity. Tooth-colored fillings are made out of a dental composite resin that is white. This causes it to appear to be a part of your natural tooth once placed.

What is the process of getting a filling?

First, Dr. Monfredi will numb your gums, teeth, and surrounding skin to make the process more comfortable. Then, she will drill out the decayed part of the tooth, removing all signs of decay and leave a clean edged hole in which the filling will go. Finally, Dr. Monfredi will fill the hole with the softened resin material and will shape it to the rest of your tooth. A special light is used to harden the resin, making it a permanent part of your tooth. When you get a tooth-colored filling, the end product will appear white, and will be difficult to notice in your day-to-day life as you talk, eat, laugh and smile. The dentist will finish by checking your bite and making sure the filling is the proper size and needs no adjustments. You won’t be able to eat or drink anything for a short amount of time after the procedure to make sure that everything is set and hardened properly.