Tooth-Colored Fillings for Kids – Copperas Cove, TX 

What Are Tooth-Colored Fillings?

When bacteria attack the tooth enamel, they can weaken it and eventually cause small holes, known as cavities or caries, to form. The purpose of a filling is to fill in a cavity and prevent the decay from spreading. In the past, fillings were always made of a metal-based material known as silver amalgam, which had a very dark color.

In contrast, tooth-colored fillings are made of a composite resin that can be shade-matched to blend in beautifully with the surrounding tooth enamel. The resin is metal-free; it is made of ultra-fine plastic and glass particles.

The Process of Getting a Tooth-Colored Filling

Placing a tooth-colored filling is a quick process that usually takes just a single appointment. First, we will numb your child’s tooth (if a cavity is relatively shallow, it might not even be necessary to administer local anesthesia). Then, we prepare the tooth by removing decayed tissue from within the cavity.

Next, we insert the shade-matched resin and harden it with a special curing light. To finish, we polish and shape the filling so it will not interfere with your child’s bite or feel strange in their mouth. They will be able to eat and drink immediately afterward, but it may be best for them to avoid hot, cold, and chewy foods for a while due to a temporary increase in dental sensitivity.

The Benefits of Tooth-Colored Fillings

Tooth-colored fillings have some substantial benefits for children:

• Seamless appearance. Your child will be able to smile with confidence; there will be no dark spots to mar their smile!
• No metal or mercury. Some parents are worried about the presence of mercury in silver amalgam fillings. Tooth-colored fillings are free of all metals, including mercury.
• Minimal tooth preparation. Tooth-colored fillings require less tissue removal than amalgam fillings.
• Tooth-colored fillings have the potential to last for several years.
• Reduced sensitivity. Unlike metal fillings, tooth-colored fillings do not conduct temperatures to the inner layers of teeth, resulting in a lower risk of dental sensitivity.