Beautiful Tooth-Colored Fillings in Plano, TX
Do you have one of those dark silver fillings in your mouth? If it shows when you smile or talk, it’s not only an eyesore – it’s also an embarrassing way to showcase your dental history. Aside from appearances, these silver fillings have raised health concerns because they contain mercury. At 1st In Smiles, we have kept up with the latest dental technology to provide you with a safe and aesthetic alternative to old silver-colored fillings: tooth-colored fillings in Plano, TX. Whether you have a cavity you need filled or a mercury filling you need to get replaced, 1st In Smiles will restore your tooth with this strong and natural-looking filling.
Tooth-Colored Fillings are Mercury-Free
Dentists once used silver-mercury fillings to fill and seal cavities. Silver-mercury fillings, also known as dental amalgam fillings, are made of a mixture of metals including mercury, which can be dangerous if you are exposed to too much. Although studies haven’t proved that mercury fillings are hazardous to your health, there is concern that the mercury from your silver fillings, which break down over time, can leak into other parts of your body. Silver fillings may also be unsafe for those with metal allergies.
Tooth-colored fillings, or composite fillings, contain no mercury. They are made of composite resin (plastic) and small “filler” particles of glass-like material, the finest and most up-to-date materials available today. Once hardened, they contain no elements that are harmful to your health.
Tooth-Colored Fillings Preserve Your Tooth and Last for Years
Although mercury fillings are extremely durable and inexpensive, they require more removal of the healthy portion of your tooth before filling the cavity. This can weaken your tooth, making it more susceptible to decay and infection.
Tooth-colored fillings preserve more of your natural tooth and keep it strong. To place the filling, we start by removing the decay, cleaning your tooth, and priming it. Then we put a bonding agent into the cavity before applying and shaping the composite resin, which we match to the color of your teeth and harden with a special light. After this, we polish your tooth so that it shines like your natural teeth. If you are concerned about any pain during the procedure, we have sedation options available.
Following the restoration, you may experience a little soreness for a few days and sensitivity to hot and cold for up to a couple of weeks. But your restoration will serve you well beyond that – with good hygiene, it will last for several years, and no one will know it’s there!
Dr. Rick Barfield is a native of Richardson, Texas. He received his DDS (Doctor of Dental Surgery) degree from the Texas A&M University Baylor College of Dentistry and has been providing trusted dental care in the Plano, TX area for more than 30 years.
Let Dr. Barfield and his trained staff help you say goodbye to metal mouth and hello to a beautiful new smile with tooth-colored fillings! Contact our Plano, TX office today for an appointment at 972-905-9266 or fill out our online form.
