Fillings and Cavity Repair
Advanced Tooth-Colored Fillings
Tooth-colored fillings represent the gold standard in modern cavity repair, providing both exceptional function and natural aesthetics. At Irmo Dentistry, Dr. Jameson Davis utilizes advanced composite resin materials to restore teeth affected by decay while maintaining the natural beauty of your smile. These state-of-the-art fillings bond directly to your tooth structure, creating strong, durable restorations that are virtually invisible and help preserve your remaining healthy tooth structure.
Our approach to cavity repair goes beyond simply filling holes in teeth. We focus on conservative treatment methods that remove only the decayed portion of the tooth while preserving as much healthy structure as possible. This minimally invasive philosophy, combined with our use of high-quality composite materials, ensures that your restored teeth maintain optimal strength and function for years to come. We serve patients throughout Irmo and surrounding South Carolina communities, providing comfortable, efficient cavity repair that gets you back to optimal oral health quickly and effectively.
BENEFITS OF TOOTH-COLORED FILLINGS
Invisible Results
Modern tooth-colored fillings are custom-matched to your natural tooth color, making them virtually invisible when you smile, laugh, or speak. Unlike old silver amalgam fillings, composite restorations blend seamlessly with your teeth, maintaining the natural beauty of your smile while providing excellent strength and durability.
Tooth Structure Preservation
Composite fillings bond chemically to your tooth, requiring less healthy tooth structure removal compared to traditional amalgam fillings. This conservative approach preserves more of your natural tooth, maintaining strength and reducing the risk of future fractures while providing long-lasting cavity repair.
Safe, Biocompatible Materials
Our tooth-colored composite fillings contain no mercury or other metals, making them a safe, biocompatible choice for patients of all ages. These advanced materials have been extensively tested and proven safe for long-term use, providing peace of mind along with exceptional restorative results.
STEPS OF PROCEDURE
Process
Step 1
Diagnosis and Treatment Planning
We use digital X-rays and visual examination to accurately diagnose the extent of decay and determine the most appropriate treatment approach. Our thorough evaluation ensures that we identify all areas requiring treatment while developing a plan that preserves maximum healthy tooth structure.
Step 2
Anesthesia and Comfort Measures
We administer gentle, effective local anesthesia to ensure your complete comfort throughout the procedure. Our modern anesthetic techniques minimize discomfort and allow for precise, thorough treatment while keeping you relaxed and comfortable during the entire process.
Step 3
Decay Removal and Preparation
Using precise techniques and modern instrumentation, we carefully remove only the decayed portion of the tooth while preserving all healthy structure. The prepared cavity is then thoroughly cleaned and conditioned to ensure optimal bonding of the filling material to your natural tooth.
Step 4
Filling Placement and Shaping
We place the composite resin in layers, carefully sculpting each layer to restore your tooth’s natural anatomy and function. Each layer is cured with a special light to ensure proper hardening and bonding, creating a strong, durable restoration that feels completely natural.
Step 5
Final Adjustment and Polishing
After the filling is complete, we carefully check and adjust your bite to ensure comfortable function. The restoration is then polished to a smooth, natural finish that matches the texture and luster of your surrounding teeth, completing your comfortable, beautiful cavity repair.
Why Choose Composite Fillings
Composite resin fillings offer significant advantages over traditional metal amalgam fillings in both function and aesthetics. The advanced bonding technology creates a tight seal that helps prevent bacteria from entering the tooth, reducing the risk of secondary decay. Additionally, composite materials expand and contract similarly to natural tooth structure, reducing stress on the tooth and minimizing the risk of cracks or fractures that can occur with metal fillings.
Our commitment to using only the highest-quality composite materials ensures that your fillings provide long-lasting durability and maintain their appearance over time. These modern materials resist staining and wear while providing strength comparable to natural tooth structure. We select filling materials based on the specific location and function of each tooth, ensuring that every restoration provides optimal performance for your individual needs and lifestyle requirements.
Precision Restorative Care
Dr. Jameson Davis brings meticulous attention to detail and artistic skill to every filling procedure, ensuring that each restoration not only functions perfectly but also looks completely natural. The conservative treatment philosophy of Dr. Davis emphasizes preserving healthy tooth structure while providing durable, long-lasting cavity repair. Dr. Davis takes pride in his ability to create fillings that are so well-integrated with natural teeth that even he has difficulty identifying them in follow-up appointments. His gentle technique and commitment to patient comfort ensure that cavity repair is a positive experience that leaves patients confident in their restored smile. He stays current with the latest advances in composite materials and placement techniques to provide his patients with the most durable and aesthetic results available in modern restorative dentistry.
FAQS
How long do tooth-colored fillings last?
High-quality composite fillings typically last 7-10 years or longer with proper care and regular dental maintenance. The longevity of your filling depends on factors such as its size, location in your mouth, your bite forces, oral hygiene habits, and dietary choices. Regular dental checkups allow us to monitor your fillings and provide maintenance to extend their lifespan.
Are tooth-colored fillings as strong as silver fillings?
Modern composite materials provide excellent strength and durability that is comparable to traditional amalgam fillings for most cavity repairs. While amalgam may be slightly stronger for very large restorations, composite fillings offer the advantage of bonding to the tooth structure, which actually strengthens the remaining tooth and reduces the risk of fractures.
Will getting a filling be painful?
The filling procedure should not be painful when proper anesthesia is used. We use gentle, effective numbing techniques to ensure your complete comfort throughout the treatment. Most patients experience no discomfort during the procedure, and any mild sensitivity after treatment typically resolves within a few days as your tooth adjusts to the restoration.
Can old silver fillings be replaced with tooth-colored ones?
Yes, old amalgam fillings can be safely replaced with tooth-colored composite fillings for both aesthetic and health reasons. We carefully evaluate each existing filling to determine if replacement is beneficial and can often improve the appearance of your smile while providing more conservative treatment that preserves healthy tooth structure.
How do I care for my new fillings?
Care for filled teeth just like your natural teeth with regular brushing, flossing, and professional cleanings. Avoid chewing on hard objects like ice, pens, or fingernails that could damage the restoration. Maintain regular dental visits so we can monitor your fillings and address any concerns before they become problems.
Are there any restrictions after getting a filling?
With tooth-colored fillings, there are typically no eating restrictions since the material hardens immediately under our curing light. You may experience some mild sensitivity to hot or cold for a few days as your tooth adjusts to the restoration. We recommend avoiding very hard or sticky foods for the first 24 hours to allow complete bonding of the filling material.
