Tooth Colored Fillings in Atlanta, Georgia (GA)

Tooth colored fillings are composite resin fillings that are similar in many ways to standard amalgam metal fillings, but are undetectable once placed in the mouth. Tooth colored fillings are often requested by patients who are self conscious or who require that their filling is unnoticeable.

A tooth colored filling is applied to a cavity in a tooth that has been cleaned of soft tissue and any infected material. Because composite resin is able to adhere well to dental sealants, the cavity may be sealed in the same day that the filling is seated. The tooth colored filling is applied in thin layers over the cavity, slowly building up the correct shape. Once finished, it is exposed to a special light that causes the resin to cure quickly.

While composite resin fillings have the advantages of being nearly invisible and low cost, they have the disadvantage of not being appropriate for every situation. Specifically, composite resin does not withstand intense biting pressure as well as amalgam metal does. A dentist may not find a tooth colored filling appropriate for all teeth for this reason.

Tooth colored fillings require the same maintenance as other teeth and fillings. Proper oral hygiene and regularly scheduled dental cleanings can help the filling last as long as possible. Some fillings have been known to last well in excess of twenty years.