Dental Filling Louisville, KY

Tooth-ColoredFillings

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About Tooth-Colored Fillings in Louisville, KY

When bacteria erodes the enamel, a cavity (a common dental concern) can develop. Cavities, one of the most common dental problems, are created when bacteria erodes the enamel. Once the cavity is discovered, it must be sanitized to remove the bacteria before it is sealed to prevent further damage. Not too long ago, cavities were treated with amalgam fillings, which was a mixture of different metals such as silver or mercury. Now, we know that these types of fillings don't bond with the teeth well, plus there are dangers to your health from mercury-based fillings. MINT dentistry in Louisville, KY is focused on giving our patients advanced treatments that meet their dental needs and give them a sexy smile. This is why MINT dentistry provides tooth-colored fillings for the treatment of dental cavities. An advanced dental restoration, tooth-colored fillings (made with a material known as composite resin) are used to fill cavities after being shaded to blend seamlessly into your natural enamel. Our highly skilled dental health professionals in Louisville, KY are dedicated to treating your entire family with the highest-quality dental care using modern tooth-colored fillings for the age-old problem of cavities.

Tooth-Colored Vs. Amalgam Fillings

For more than 150 years, dentists have been using a metal compound known as amalgam fillings to treat tooth decay and cavities. These amalgam fillings (which contain a mixture of metals like tin, silver, mercury, and copper) were the only option available to fill and restore a tooth that had a cavity. Unlike composite fillings, when someone opens their mouth wide to laugh, smile, or talk, these metal fillings are easy to see. Although some people still have silver fillings, our team of experienced MINT dentistry professionals uses composite resin fillings to treat tooth decay and give you a smile that's healthy and dazzling.

When Is a Composite Filling Needed?

Once a member of our MINT team has cleaned the decay from the enamel, a tooth-colored filling is used to fill the cavity. Composite resin is a versatile material that can be used to treat other problems with the teeth, including sealing small cracks or building up enamel that has been worn down by teeth grinding (bruxism). Since the material is colored to match your enamel, tooth-colored fillings are used to treat both the visible and back teeth for a smile that doesn't look like it has cavities. If you have old amalgam fillings, ask your Louisville, KY dentist about having them removed and replaced with fillings made with composite resin.

How Is a Composite Filling Placed?

Having a cavity filled at MINT dentistry is often a quick and simple treatment, as our dental practice utilizes the most advanced dental equipment. Before beginning your procedure, a member of our team will help you settle into one of our luxurious, massage-style treatment chairs, allowing you to decide on what music you want to listen to during your procedure. The areas surrounding the cavity will be then numbed with a local anesthesia to minimize your discomfort. Stronger sedation options can be reviewed with your dentist to keep you comfortable and relaxed if you have any anxieties or fears about your treatment. Once you're prepped and relaxed, the decayed area will be carefully removed with a technologically advanced dental drill. After the infected enamel is eliminated and the tooth is sanitized, the space can be sealed with the composite material and hardened with a special light. Your dentist will then polish the material, so it feels smooth.

Dental Filling Aftercare

Once the composite filling has been cured and a firm surface created, you will be able to resume your normal diet and activities once you leave our office. It's common to have extra sensitivity to extreme hot and cold temperatures for 1 – 3 days, but that should wear off soon. You may take non-prescription pain medication if necessary, but many patients feel little to no discomfort. We highly recommend patients return after getting a filling for an adjustment to ensure the bite is perfect. Bite complications are difficult to avoid since the patient’s mouth is numb but are easily fixed. Just call our office. Tooth-colored fillings should be cared for with a good routine at home, including brushing and flossing every day. At your regular appointments for cleanings, your dentist will assess your filling and determine if it should be replaced or repaired at any point. Tooth-colored fillings usually look natural and last for a long time. To keep your teeth healthy and beautiful, it is important to attend biannual dental cleanings at MINT dentistry in Louisville, KY.

The MINT Commitment

Tooth-colored fillings are usually at least partially covered by dental insurance. A member of our MINT dentistry team will contact your insurance company to check how much your insurance will cover and then calculate your out-of-pocket cost. For patients without insurance, we will go over the payment methods we accept and information on low-interest medical financing. MINT dentistry wants to help everyone in Louisville, KY get sexy teeth and we are dedicated to making that goal attainable for everyone. Ask a member of our team to find out how the MINT Discount Plan can make your dental care more affordable.

A Bright, Healthy Smile

You can trust MINT dentistry to quickly and effectively treat a dental cavity with a tooth-colored filling to keep your smile healthy and natural-looking. Thanks to cutting-edge tools and advanced techniques, a tooth-colored filling can quickly and easily treat a small area of tooth decay. MINT dentistry's board-certified dentists will shade the filling to match your teeth so you have a seamless smile and better oral health. If you or a member of your family may have a cavity in your enamel, contact our MINT dentistry office in Louisville, KY to schedule an oral health exam.

*Individual results are not guaranteed and may vary from person to person. Images may contain models.