Tooth Fillings

We stay up-to-date with materials, technology and techniques. When you need a filling or restoration, our preference is usually composite, also called white or tooth color restoration. When the tooth is too weak due to decay,  fractures or lost restorations, we also count with  Porcelain inlays and Tooth Colored Restorations (onlays) to create fillings that are not only beautiful (or unnoticeable) but also add strength to weakened teeth. These restorations are aesthetically pleasing and very strong thanks to new bonding technologies.

Advantages of Tooth-Colored Restorations

Tooth-colored restorations, sometimes called resins, composites, or white fillings, have many advantages when compared with amalgam restorations. They usually contain fluoride, which can help prevent decay. Composites also wear like natural tooth structure, what helps prevent more fractures and strengthens the tooth. Another advantage is that they bond to the tooth structure. Because of this last characteristic, we can be very conservative when removing the cavity and placing the white filling. With amalgam restorations, not only we need to remove the cavity, but also some sound tooth structure to give it a certain shape to hold the filling. 

Tooth color restorations can be placed in one visit (direct restorations), like regular fillings. Or they may need two visits (indirect restorations), like onlays, inlays, crowns, and veneers. The restorations in this last case are fabricated at the dental lab. During the second visit, these indirect restorations are bonded to the teeth, creating a tight, superior fit to the natural tooth. Such restorations can be used in instances where much of the tooth structure has been lost. The tooth remains intact and stronger.

The result with tooth-color restorations is a beautiful and healthy smile!