Tooth-Colored Fillings in Friendswood, TX

Keeping your teeth healthy and functional is important to the overall quality of your smile. Tooth decay is a common dental problem for patients of all ages. When caught in the early to moderate stages, we can often treat tooth decay with a tooth-colored composite resin filling. Composite fillings are shaded the same color as tooth enamel and match your smile for an even look and smooth feel. General dentist Dr. Peter Nishino may also use composite fillings to repair teeth that are chipped or damaged by rebuilding tooth structure that has been lost. A great alternative to silver amalgam fillings, tooth-colored composite is highly durable, long-lasting, and can be placed in a more conservative manner.

Our Made Ya Smile Dental team always takes the most conservative approach possible when treating our patients. We prefer composite fillings over amalgam as it offers a healthier option and bonds better to the tooth structure. Dr. Nishino does not need to remove as much tooth structure for composite fillings compared to using amalgam for repairing teeth that have decay or damage. In many cases, we can even remove old amalgam fillings and replace them with tooth-colored composite for a uniform and more appealing smile. Learn if composite fillings are ideal for your needs by scheduling a treatment consultation with Dr. Nishino in our modern Friendswood, TX dental center.

Here at Made Ya Smile, we are committing to offering our patients the latest treatments in dental care. Tooth-colored fillings are a safe and beneficial option to fill a tooth, providing our patients with many benefits, including:

• Natural, seamless appearance of your tooth and smile
• Prevention against cavities
• Becomes a barrier to debris and plaque accumulation
• Simple, same-day treatment that leads to years of protection

Dr. Nishino may recommend composite fillings to strengthen and rebuild teeth that have been mild to moderately damaged, chipped, or decayed. Safe for patients of all ages, composite is a versatile material and can be used to effectively restore teeth in the back and the front of your mouth. This type of material is often favored over amalgam as it does not increase general health risks and is a more aesthetic alternative to restoring teeth. By offering composite fillings, we can take a more conservative approach to maintain the integrity of your teeth and create a gorgeous and healthy smile. Treating damaged teeth as early as possible may also help you avoid the need for crowns or other types of dental care at a future time.

You may benefit from the use of tooth-colored fillings in your restorative care if you have chipped a tooth or are suffering from tooth decay. Dr. Nishino may also suggest composite to balance out uneven or worn biting edges of your teeth. Composite may also be ideal if you have aging amalgam fillings that show when you laugh or smile or that need to be replaced to support your oral health. Dr. Nishino will choose the ideal shade of composite to match your surrounding tooth structure. This type of material feels smooth, like natural enamel, and offers a lasting and durable solution for restoring your teeth.

As an experienced and skilled dentist, Dr. Nishino routinely places composite fillings in children, teens, and adults. Tooth-colored fillings are typically placed within a single visit to our Friendswood, TX practice and are a simple procedure. Dr. Nishino will prepare your jaw for comfort by numbing the treatment area. Sedation dentistry can also help you feel relaxed and at ease if you experience anxiety or fear when coming to the dentist. When you are fully numb, our team will use advanced dental tools to gently clean out the decayed area within the tooth and smooth broken edges. Dr. Nishino will then select the shade of composite that most closely matches your tooth enamel and rebuild the tooth by layering the material in place. Once your filling is hardened by our special curing light, we will shape and smooth it for a seamless look and feel. When placed by a skilled dentist, such as Dr. Nishino, composite fillings seem as though they have always been a part of a natural-looking smile.

At the end of your appointment, we will check your bite and adjust your filling as necessary for an even feel. But if your bite feels a little high once the anesthesia wears off, we can always get you back in for a quick bite adjustment. Composite fillings are generally minor procedures and allow you to continue a normal routine following placement. However, we do urge you to not eat anything until the feeling has fully returned to your mouth after dental anesthesia. It is not uncommon to notice slight tooth sensitivity to cold or hot temperatures in the few days immediately after your visit. Let us know, though, if you have any significant discomfort or the sensitivity does not resolve. Composite fillings are taken care of just like your natural tooth structure through a good routine of brushing and flossing each day. When you visit our Friendswood, TX practice for routine cleanings and checkups, we will check your fillings to make sure they are still serving your oral health in the best possible way.

As a common restorative procedure, composite fillings for dental cavities and damage are often covered in part by most dental insurance plans. Our Made Ya Smile Dental team will be sure to review your individual benefits schedule before your procedure and let you know of any personal costs. Providing excellence in care that is affordable for our patients is a priority for our Friendswood, TX team. We are pleased to offer a wide range of payment options, including a dental savings plan for uninsured patients, to help taking care of your family's smiles even more affordable and convenient.

Are composite fillings superior to silver amalgam fillings?
Composite dental fillings have been found to bond to the enamel better and last longer than silver amalgam fillings.

Do tooth-colored fillings look like my natural teeth?
Yes, tooth-colored fillings can be shaded to match your natural enamel, making them almost indistinguishable from your natural teeth.

Tooth-colored fillings are customized to match your natural enamel. We find that our patients much prefer the natural appearance of the composite resin than the gray appearance of silver amalgam fillings.

How long do tooth-colored fillings last?
After we fill a cavity, you can expect it to last about 12 years with proper care. This includes regular flossing, brushing twice a day, and routine dental cleanings and exams.

Enjoy a healthy and natural-looking smile with tooth-colored fillings. Composite fillings from Made Ya Smile Dental are safe for patients of all ages and blend beautifully with natural tooth enamel for a smooth and even look and feel. By treating minor to moderate cavities and damage early on with a filling, you can often avoid the need for more extensive restorative care in the future. Get in touch with our Friendswood, TX team today to schedule a treatment consultation with Dr. Nishino.