Conservative, cosmetic, and strong: Cavity repair with tooth-colored, metal-free fillings
Fillings are a common dental procedure and a standard in dentists’ offices in Leawood, Kansas, and beyond. When a tooth with decay cannot be repaired through home care and professional services designed to fight early-stage enamel erosion and decay, fillings may be in your future. And today’s fillings are tooth-colored, designed to blend into the smile beautifully – no glimpses of silver metal peeking through!
How are fillings designed?
Fillings at Dr. Stephen Huber’s office are less extensive than other restorative procedures, such as dental crowns. They re-establish tooth structure and the aesthetic appearance of a tooth that has been damaged and marred by a form of decay: a cavity.
What is a cavity?
Cavities are a type of damage characterized by holes in the teeth. These holes are caused by progressive decay, which erodes the structure of the tooth. Early on, decay may be treated without procedures. For instance, we may recommend fluoride therapy to remineralize the teeth. Without treatment, the structure of the tooth is eroded. As the tissue deteriorates and is lost, holes or cavities are left behind.
Why would I need treatment?
A cavity weakens the tooth. The process of decay does not resolve on its own. It only gets worse over time and without appropriate treatment.
Am I a candidate for a dental filling?
You may be! Dr. Huber will assess the troublesome tooth. Smaller cavities (with low to moderate decay) are generally the most appropriate candidates for fillings. Larger cavities may require alternative treatments, such as crowns.
Tooth-Colored Dental Fillings – Before and After Images
Actual Patients / Actual Results at Stephen Huber, DDS
Case: Mary Ellen
Mary Ellen was tired of “patch and fill” dentistry. She felt her previous dental care provider did not listen to her and lacked empathy. When her teeth became sensitive while eating, she decided it was time to find a new dentist. During Mary Ellen’s initial consultation, Dr. Huber discovered some serious concerns. Not only was she missing some teeth, many of Mary Ellen’s old, silver/mercury fillings were breaking down, placing a lot of stress on her natural teeth. Silver fillings become a problem for many patients because they tend to expand and contract when exposed to hot and cold foods and liquids. Over time, this expansion and contraction cause the natural tooth enamel to crack and/or fracture. In order to bring Mary Ellen’s teeth to a healthy state, Dr. Huber created two new porcelain bridges to restore her full ability to chew. Our dentist also restored the health of several cracked teeth with porcelain onlays and crowns, and restored some decayed teeth with bonded tooth-colored fillings. Mary Ellen’s treatment was completed over a period of time, in several stages, but she will tell you it was well worth the wait. She now has a lovely smile, but more importantly, she has a healthy smile.
Why can’t you treat a large cavity with a filling?
Large cavities require more support. Crowns cover up the remaining tooth structure to provide adequate structure and strength.
How do you place a filling?
Dr. Huber first removes the decayed or damaged tissues from the tooth and thoroughly cleans it. Then, he introduces the filling, shapes and molds it precisely to fit your natural bite, and polishes it to bring out its beautiful luster.
Will my smile look natural?
Yes! If you are worried about the appearance of your smile being marred by silver-colored dental amalgam materials, fear not. The office of Stephen Huber, DDS, knows you deserve only the best that today’s restorative dentistry offers. So, we do not use this combination of metals (dental amalgam) in fillings. We repair cavities with fillings made from a metal-free composite resin. This resin can be matched perfectly to the rest of the tooth. Due to how it bonds to the natural tooth, resin fillings also allow for increased strength and performance.
If your tooth hurts when you drink something sweet or cold, or if you notice dark discoloration and pitted areas, you might have a cavity! But Dr. Huber won’t know for sure until he examines your mouth. Call (913) 349-9795 to schedule your consultation at our office in Leawood, KS.
