Do you need a filling but don’t want a metal filling? Try white dental fillings. Made of composite materials, white fillings offer a natural-looking treatment for patients with dental cavities. Receiving a dental filling can prevent the spread of decay and preserve a tooth. If tooth decay continues to break down the tooth, we may need to perform a tooth extraction. Our office is proud to offer modern white dental fillings in our Woodstock, MD office. Learn about the benefits of these fillings and how they differ from amalgam metal fillings.
White Dental Fillings in Woodstock, MD
To prepare teeth for dental fillings, we first fully clean and then numb the treated area. Then, we remove decay and disinfect the cavity. We fill the cavity and seal the tooth with a composite filling. Using a curing light hardens the filling.
Do I Need a Dental Filling?
There are multiple signs that you may have tooth decay:
- Toothaches
- Dark brown or black spots on teeth
- Pits in the tooth enamel
- Tooth sensitivity
- Bad breath (halitosis)
If you notice cavities or small holes or pits in your teeth, please contact our office so we can plan a dental filling. You may also contact us if you notice any of these symptoms. We can take x-rays to see if you have cavities that we cannot see with the naked eye. Even if you do not feel any pain due to your cavities, it is still important to see a dentist for an examination and treatment.
Can Dental Fillings Contain Mercury?
Amalgam metal fillings are a mixture of silver, tin, copper, and liquid mercury. These fillings can release low amounts of mercury vapor. Some patients may be at more risk of developing problems from mental fillings, including pregnant women, patients with neurological conditions, and impaired kidney function.
If you have an old metal filling, we can replace it with a composite filling in our office. White fillings can provide a safer alternative that also looks like natural teeth. If you have an old filling that requires replacement and is more than 2/3 of your tooth’s width, we can also recommend a dental crown. Our zirconium crowns also blend in with the smile and fully cover and protect teeth.
Do you need a filling? Call cosmetic and restorative dentist Dr. Walter Mazzella at (410) 559-9951. You can also schedule a dental appointment with Dr. Mazzella on our website.