Dentists Serving Greenville, Simpsonville, Landrum & Nearby Areas Of South Carolina And North Carolina
Tooth-colored fillings are the new standard in general dentistry. Gone are the days when a cavity meant the dentist would fill your tooth with an unsightly metal filling. At Wood Creek Dental in Upstate South Carolina, we use white metal-free fillings for our patients’ tooth restorations for healthy, natural-looking smiles. Be sure to give our experienced dentists a call to learn more about tooth-colored fillings and whether you are a candidate for treatment! Dial 864-288-5300 to reach our Greenville office, or 864-457-3425 for our Landrum office.
Patient Testimonial
“Another pleasurable experience at Wood Creek Dental. (Did I really just describe fillings as pleasurable?) Well, they were. Everything went smoothly and pain free. My teeth feel great. Wood Creek Dental also helped me with my sensitive teeth by providing some special toothpaste and a soft toothbrush.”
— Brian B.
What are the Benefits of Tooth-Colored Fillings?
White fillings do look great, but that isn’t their only benefit. Tooth-colored fillings are better in almost every way when compared to the old-fashioned, black, mercury-amalgam fillings:
- Teeth with black fillings are up to 40% weaker than a natural tooth. Teeth with bonded white fillings are just as strong as natural teeth.
- Black fillings expand over time and can crack teeth. White fillings hold teeth together and prevent cracks.
- Black metal fillings corrode, crack and leak around the edges. Bonded white fillings prevent micro leakage, which leads to decay around black fillings.
- Many black fillings are failing right now with internal cracks or decay, and we have no way of knowing until it is too late. Upgrading to white fillings helps us catch problems earlier.
- Bonded fillings can be either direct white fillings or indirect bonded onlays. Bonded onlays often take the place of crowns but are much more conservative and better looking.
What Are the Risks of Leaving a Cavity Untreated?
Untreated tooth decay can result in tooth infection, increased tooth sensitivity, halitosis, and other serious oral health issues. Cavities that are not treated may continue to damage the tooth, eventually necessitating its removal. It is never a good idea to ignore a cavity.
What Is the Process for Placing Tooth-Colored Fillings?
Unlike metal fillings, tooth-colored fillings adhere directly to tooth enamel and do not require a large cavity to be drilled for placement. This helps to preserve tooth structure and maintain the integrity of your bite. However, the decayed and damaged portions of the tooth must still be removed before a composite filling can be placed.
Once decay and damage are removed, composite materials are placed over the cavity before being hardened and polished. The process is quick and completed entirely under local anesthesia. You should not experience any discomfort during placement, but if you are nervous about having a filling placed, we would be happy to discuss the safe and effective sedation options available through our office.
Are Tooth-Colored Fillings Covered by Insurance?
Most dental plans cover dental fillings. Your benefit may, however, provide the same amount of coverage for both composite and amalgam fillings. Check with your plan administrator to determine how much of your procedure will be covered by your dental insurance.
How Do I Know if I Need a Filling?
A dental filling is a restoration to repair a damaged tooth. If a tooth with a cavity or other damage is left untreated, the damage will only get worse and will cause you more pain in the future. It can also lead to other, even more serious problems, such as a tooth infection.
If you need a filling, your tooth may hurt for no apparent reason, or you may notice it hurts in response to hot or cold, when pressure is placed on it, or if you are eating or drinking something sweet. You may have a sudden, throbbing pain when biting or chewing. There are also visible signs that you need a filling:
- Holes in your teeth
- Dark spots on your teeth
- Floss tearing in a certain spot every time you floss
- A chipped or broken tooth
What Should I Expect After I Get a Filling?
Some patients have pain in the teeth on either side of the newly filled tooth – this is normal, and the pain should decrease within a couple of weeks. Your teeth might be sensitive to hot or cold, and the tooth with the new filling may be especially sensitive. For the first few weeks after your filling has been placed, you might want to avoid foods and beverages that are very hot or cold, and chew using the other side of your mouth. You should avoid sticky, hard, and chewy foods for 2 weeks after your filling. If you are uncomfortable right after you get your filling, an over-the-counter pain medication can help.
How Do I Take Care of My Tooth-Colored Fillings?
One of the benefits of tooth-colored fillings is that they look just like a natural part of the tooth, so people won’t notice you have one – and they are as easy to care for as your natural teeth are, too! Make sure you brush twice a day, floss at least once a day, limit sugary snacks, eat a healthy diet, and make sure to visit your dentist twice a year for cleanings and check-ups.
For the proper care of all of your teeth, you should avoid chewing on items that aren’t food, such as fingernails, pencils, and pen caps, and to prevent stains on your fillings and teeth, avoid beverages like coffee and red wine.
Are There Any Alternatives to Dental Fillings?
If your teeth are so decayed that a filling isn’t enough to repair the damage, a dental crown may be recommended. A crown fits over your tooth to protect it from bacteria and further damage, and it looks and feels just like a natural tooth. A bonded onlay may be another choice – these are more conservative and better looking than crowns. An onlay is a restoration that covers a large part of the biting surface of the tooth, or it may completely cover the surface. They have many benefits: they allow as much of the healthy tooth to be preserved as possible; they are a good choice if you only have minimal or moderate tooth decay; they are very strong and durable; and they are easy to clean.
Read what our patients are saying!
Wood Creek Dental Was My Answer To “Fear Of Dental Treatment.” I No Longer Dread Or Avoid Dental Visits. The Doctor And The Staff Were Wonderful.
Click here to read more reviews.
How Long Do Tooth-Colored Fillings Last?
Depending on the care you take of your teeth, white fillings, also known as tooth-colored fillings or composite fillings, should last for ten or more years. This is around the same amount of time metal fillings are expected to last as well, though white fillings often outlive amalgam alternatives.
Schedule Your Tooth-Colored Fillings Consultation At Wood Creek Dental!
Would you like to enhance your smile by replacing your old metal fillings with modern tooth-colored fillings? Call us today at Wood Creek Dental at 864-288-5300 to schedule your appointment and see what a difference white fillings can make in your smile. Or, you can fill out the appointment request form in our contact page by clicking here!
We welcome patients throughout the Upstate South Carolina area to our offices in Greenville and Landrum.
