Bonding

Q. What are tooth-colored fillings?

A. Tooth-colored fillings are made from durable plastics called composite resins. Similar in color and texture to natural 
teeth, the fillings are less noticeable, and much more attractive, than other types of fillings.

Q. What are the advantages of tooth-colored fillings?

A. Because composite resins are tooth-colored, they look more natural than other filling materials. Your child can smile, 
talk, and eat with confidence. In addition, tooth-colored fillings are compatible with dental sealants. A tooth can be filled 
and sealed at the same time to prevent further decay.

Q. What are disadvantages?

A. First, tooth-colored fillings are not for every tooth. They work best in small restorations and low-stress areas. For 
example, your dentist may not recommend a tooth-colored filling for a large cavity or for the chewing surface of a back 
tooth. Second, tooth-colored fillings may cost a bit more than silver fillings because they take longer to place.

Q. How do I care for a tooth-colored filling?

A. Take care of a tooth-colored filling the same way you take care of a silver filling: Brush, floss, and visit your dentist. 
Any filling will last longer with good oral hygiene. Your dentist will regularly check the fillings for color change, leakage, 
or unusual wear and inform you of the need for repair or replacement.

Q. I don't like ugly black fillings. What are my options?

A. Today, you do not need to have old fashioned metal fillings in your mouth. Bonded fillings, inlays and crowns are 
all natural tooth color and can be used to replace old fillings to give you a younger, natural look.

Q. I have fillings in my teeth but they don't match the color of my teeth.

A. If you have fillings that do not match the color of your teeth, you can have them replaced with new bonded fillings. 
Over time, tooth-colored fillings, especially the older ones, can discolor, or the color of your teeth may have darkened 
due to food or beverage stains. Modern bonded fillings hold their color for much longer than older materials.

Q. I heard gold is best for teeth, but I want a natural look. What are my choices?

A. Gold is a very excellent material but some people object to its appearance, even in back teeth. Now there are several 
choices of materials to repair decayed or broken teeth. Laser bonded composite fillings are used for small-to-medium-
sized cavities. They are natural tooth color. Gold or porcelain inlays are used for very large cavities. The traditional gold, 
while an excellent material in terms of durability and strength, is generally not selected in areas where it would be visible. 
Porcelain, on the other hand is very natural looking. In the case of even more extreme tooth damage, a porcelain crown 
can be used.

Q. Is there such a thing as a permanent filling?

A. There are three reasons why a restoration in a tooth could fail. First, the material could break or wear out. Second, the 
remaining tooth could break or start to decay. And third, some conditions such as gum disease could damage the 
support of a tooth or cause gum recession that would cause a cosmetic problem with an otherwise successful restoration. 
Based on this, considering that people bite, chew and swallow 24 hours a day, eat cold foods and drinks as low as 35 to 
40 degrees (F) to hot beverages as warm as 150 degrees (F), there is nothing that could be considered "permanent". 
That said, if the material selected is appropriate for the size of the cavity and the individual brushes and flosses daily, 
eats minimal sugar and uses prescription strength fluoride, most dental repairs will be very long-lasting.

Q. My teeth are all filled can I still get decay?

A. Yes, you can. A tooth that is filled is actually weaker than a tooth that has not been filled because the seam 
between a filling and a tooth is not as good as a solid undecayed tooth. In addition, the unfilled tooth area can also 
decay, just as it did before.