Tooth Coloured Fillings

A tooth-coloured filling can restore the structure of your tooth

Over time, teeth can become susceptible to small amounts of decay and it is crucial at this point in time to take action against the problem developing into a more serious onset of tooth decay. With this in mind, at McCullough Dental Centre we offer tooth-coloured fillings to help protect and restore your smile.

How are holes formed in my tooth?

When holes form in teeth they are called dental caries. Dental caries are usually identified by the appearance of cavities and/or tooth discolouration on both permanent teeth (adult teeth) and/or premature teeth (baby teeth). This tooth decay is caused when bacteria known as plaque slowly dissolves the tooth enamel. These bacteria are aggravated by sugar and other foods which will cause the bacteria to secrete a sticky substance and harden into tartar.

A tooth-coloured filling seals dental caries and prevents bacteria from entering the tooth…

If you have dental caries or tooth decay it is important to see a dental professional as soon as possible because tooth-coloured fillings can make a huge difference between preventing further tooth decay and needing restorative dentistry. The process of receiving a filling is performed in the following steps:

• The tooth will be prepared. This means it will be cleaned and sterilised to reduce the risk of lingering bacteria inside the tooth.
• Once dried, the dental caries will be packed with the filling.
• After the filling is placed it will be shaped to match the natural contours of your tooth to make it as inconspicuous as possible.
• Once the filling has set we will check your bite and smile to make sure the filling does not disrupt your bite and is not clearly visible.

The benefit of tooth-coloured fillings is that they are created and colour matched to blend seamlessly with your natural tooth. In the past, amalgam fillings were popular for filling dental caries but these fillings are metallic in appearance and clearly visible. Tooth-coloured fillings not only blend seamlessly with teeth but will not chemically react with your tooth.

At McCullough Dental Centre we offer tooth-colour fillings to help prevent further decay…

The sooner a filling can be placed the better chance the tooth will have at avoiding further tooth decay. Our tooth-coloured fillings at McCullough Dental Centre can be colour matched to blend in with your natural tooth so that you would never know the difference. This simple procedure can give patients the reassurance they need, knowing that their tooth is protected. To avoid the need for more fillings in the future we strongly suggest giving proper attention to your oral hygiene habits.  You will also require regular dental check-ups (around one appointment every six months) to ensure that your teeth stay healthy and free of decay.