Dental Filling Temple Hills, MD

Cavities, which form in teeth when bacteria have eaten away at the enamel, are among the most common dental problems. Once the cavity is discovered, it must be sanitized first to remove the bacteria before it is sealed to prevent further damage. In the past, cavities were treated with amalgam fillings, which were a combination of several metals like gold and silver. Today, dentists understand that metal fillings do not adhere well to dental enamel and that mercury could be dangerous to your health. At MINT dentistry in Temple Hills, MD, we are committed to providing our patients state-of-the-art treatments that improve their oral health and give them a sexy smile. For this reason, our premier dental facility provides tooth-colored fillings for the treatment of dental cavities. An advanced dental restoration, tooth-colored fillings are made with a composite resin and fill in cleaned-out cavities after being shaded to blend seamlessly into your natural enamel. Our highly skilled and board-certified dental health professionals in Temple Hills, MD are dedicated to treating you and your family with superior care with advanced treatments like tooth-colored fillings for cavities.

Dental amalgams are metal-based compounds that have been in use for more than 150 years to fill cavities and combat tooth decay. For a long time, amalgam fillings (which contain a mixture of metals like mercury, copper, silver, and tin) were the only available material to treat a dental cavity and restore the tooth. Unlike composite fillings, laughing, smiling, or talking with your mouth wide open makes these old, amalgam fillings easy to see. While some people still have silver fillings, our board-certified MINT doctors use tooth-colored fillings to restore your dental health and give you a smile that's healthy and stunning.

Tooth-colored dental fillings are often used to fill cavities after a MINT dentistry team member has had a chance to sterilize them. A versatile dental material, composite resin can be used to treat other problems with the teeth, including sealing small cracks or strengthening worn-down enamel caused by teeth grinding (bruxism). Since the composite resin is shaded to blend with your natural teeth, tooth-colored fillings are used on both the visible and back teeth for an attractive, seamless smile. If you have silver fillings, speak with a member of the Temple Hills, MD MINT dentistry team about having them replaced with tooth-colored fillings.

At MINT dentistry, our advanced dental technology makes getting a tooth-colored filling a generally easy process. To begin your appointment, we'll help you settle into one of our luxurious, massage-style treatment chairs, allowing you to choose what music you want to listen to during your treatment. The treatment area(s) will then be numbed with a local anesthetic to minimize your discomfort. Other forms of sedation can be reviewed with one of our MINT doctors to keep you comfortable and relaxed if you have any anxieties or fears about your treatment. When you are prepped and relaxed, the enamel affected by the cavity will be very gently removed with an advanced drill. After the infected enamel is eliminated and the surrounding enamel is sanitized, the cavity can be sealed with composite resin and cured. Your dentist will polish the filling so it is smooth and matches your natural teeth.

Because our composite resin fillings are cured during the procedure, you should be able to eat whatever you want after your appointment with MINT dentistry. You might have some sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures for 1 – 3 days, but this should resolve on its own. You can take an over-the-counter pain relief medication if necessary, but patients typically report little, if any, discomfort. We highly recommend patients come back after getting a filling for an adjustment to ensure the bite is perfect. Bite complications are difficult to avoid because the patient’s mouth has been numbed with local anesthesia, but they are easily fixed — just contact our MINT dentistry practice in Temple Hills, MD. Your tooth-colored filling can be kept clean with a good routine at home that includes brushing and flossing every day. At your future exams, we will inspect your tooth-colored filling and decide if it should be replaced or repaired. Fillings made with composite resin material generally last for a very long time and look natural. To make sure your teeth remain healthy, it's important to schedule regular dental cleanings and examinations with MINT dentistry.

A lot of dental insurance plans will cover most (or all) of the cost for a tooth-colored filling since they are a common treatment. The financial team at MINT dentistry will speak to your insurance company to determine your exact coverage before calculating your personal cost. If you do not have insurance, we can talk to you about the payments accepted by our practice during your consultation and provide information on low-interest medical financing. MINT dentistry wants to help everyone in Temple Hills, MD get sexy teeth, and we are committed to making it easy for everyone to fit dental care into their budget. Ask your dentist for more information on how routine cleanings and treatments like tooth-colored fillings are priced under our exclusive MINT Discount Plan.

Dental cavities may be a common issue, but our team at MINT dentistry treats them in a simple, effective manner to help restore your oral health and keep your smile beautiful. With modern techniques and state-of-the-art dental equipment, tooth-colored fillings can stop tooth decay before bigger problems develop. Our skilled dental professionals will make sure your filling matches your natural enamel for a seamless, healthy smile. If you or a member of your family may have a cavity in your enamel, contact our MINT dentistry office in Temple Hills, MD to schedule an appointment for an exam and consultation.