Tooth-Colored Fillings – Evanston, IL

A Reliable and Safe Way to Treat Tooth Decay

young woman smiling after getting tooth-colored fillings in Evanston

Many years ago, the only way to repair cavities was with silver amalgam fillings. Not only were they unsightly, but they could damage your oral health over time. Fortunately, those days are far in the past. Dental technology has come a long way and metal fillings are no longer your only option. Nowadays, most dentists use tooth-colored fillings to seamlessly treat decay! If you’d like to learn more about this simple restoration, continue reading or give our friendly team a call today.

What Are Tooth-Colored Fillings?

3D illustration of tooth-colored filling

Fillings are designed to repair tooth structure that has been damaged by decay. While metal used to be the standard when treating cavities, composite resin has proven to be a safer and more effective solution. The material is a putty-like mixture made of ultra-fine acrylic and glass particles. Since it can be shaded to match any tooth color, it’ll blend seamlessly with the rest of your smile. Also, composite resin is biocompatible, meaning it’ll bond directly with the enamel so you can keep more of your natural tooth structure intact.

The Process of Getting a Tooth-Colored Filling

dentist using light to cure tooth-colored filling in Evanston

Do you need to get a tooth-colored filling in Evanston? You’ll be happy to know that they can typically be completed in just a single appointment! Although it usually takes about an hour, the exact time may vary from patient to patient.

First, we’ll numb the area to ensure you’re completely comfortable throughout the procedure. If needed, we can even administer dental sedation. After removing the decayed tissued and cleaning the tooth, we’ll create a custom shade of composite resin that closely mimics your natural enamel.

The resin will be applied directly onto your tooth until all of the lost enamel is restored. Once we’ve sculpted it to perfection, we’ll use a special curing light to harden the resin and bond it into place. After we polish your teeth and ensure your bite feels comfortable, you’ll be ready to enjoy your beautiful, cavity-free smile!

The Benefits of Tooth-Colored Fillings

patient smiling after getting a tooth-colored filling in Evanston

Aside from helping you maintain a natural-looking appearance, tooth-colored fillings offer a wide range of incredible benefits. Some of those include:

  • Preservation of the natural tooth structure. Unlike metal fillings, composite resin chemically bonds with the tooth to eliminate the need to remove the enamel. As a result, you can expect to keep much more of your natural tooth structure.
  • Minimizing dental sensitivity. Because composite resin can form a tight seal with natural enamel, it’s much more efficient at sealing out bacteria and preventing tooth sensitivity.
  • Reduced risk of future tooth decay. Tooth-colored fillings make it harder for bacteria to access the inner chambers of the tooth, meaning you’ll have a much lower risk of further decay and infection moving forward.