Tooth-Colored Fillings in Bakersfield, CA

Repair Your Smile With Tooth-Colored Fillings

Chances are that you have had cavities. According to the Center For Disease Control, 90 percent of adults age 20 and older have had at least one cavity. If the damage is caught soon enough, you can avoid the need for a root canal later on and have your tooth repaired with a filling.

Silver fillings have been the traditional norm for many years, and we can provide them if you want them. However, at Gentle Family Dentistry, Dr. Garger and our team highly recommend you opt for tooth-colored fillings.

What Are Silver Fillings?

Silver fillings, also called amalgam fillings, are a type of filling that has been used to repair dental damage like cavities, for hundreds of years. They’re strong and long-lasting, but they come with notable drawbacks:

  • Unnatural Appearance– Silver fillings easily stand out from your natural teeth.
  • Staining– The silver in amalgam fillings can leak into the tooth, darkening it over time.
  • Galvanic Shock – If silver fillings interact with other metal fillings and dental prosthetics of differing compositions, this can generate an electric charge that can shock your mouth.
  • Toxicity– Silver fillings may contain mercury, lead, and other materials that can cause toxic or allergic reactions.
  • Takes Hours to Set– Silver fillings often take a full 24 hours to completely harden and reach full strength after they’re applied to your tooth.
  • Enamel Destruction– Silver fillings require a significant amount of your tooth’s enamel be removed to make room for them, which compromises the tooth’s structural integrity.
  • Increased Sensitivity– Silver fillings expand and contract upon contact with hot and cold temperatures, increasing dental sensitivity and putting pressure on the inside of your tooth, thus weakening it further.

What Are Tooth-Colored Fillings?

Tooth-colored fillings, also called composite, mercury-free, and white fillings, are fillings made from non-metallic materials. Tooth-colored fillings are usually made from a mix of high-quality resin, porcelain, and ground quartz. Tooth-colored fillings offer significant advantages over silver fillings that often make them the more preferred option, including:

  • Insulation against electricity
  • Non-toxic/allergenic
  • Set almost instantly once they’re applied to your tooth
  • Blend seamlessly with your natural teeth
  • Require less natural enamel be removed
  • Won’t darken or stain your teeth over time

The Tooth-Colored Filling Process

Initial Consultation

Before receiving your tooth-colored fillings, you’ll undergo an initial consultation with Dr. Garger. During this time, Dr. Garger will thoroughly examine your mouth, review your medical history, and discuss your oral health goals with you. The information he gathers will allow him to determine if tooth-colored fillings are right for you. Once you’ve both decided that tooth-colored fillings are the right treatment option for you, we’ll schedule you for your next appointment.

Preparation

Before installing your fillings, we’ll thoroughly clean your mouth out, then apply a local anesthetic to the soft tissues around the affected tooth. Dr. Garger will remove any decayed or damaged material from the tooth to make sure it’s clean and make room for the filling.

Installation

To install your tooth-colored filling, Dr. Garger will apply the resin in layers, hardening each layer as he goes with a special handheld tool, usually a blue light. Depending on your case, Dr. Garger may recommend further reinforcing the tooth with a dental crown. If you decide against the crown, once your filling has been applied, you can start enjoying your new smile.

Frequently Asked Questions

Enjoy a Healthy, Beautiful Smile Again With Tooth-Colored Fillings

At Gentle Family Dentistry, our Bakersfield patients, as well as patients from surrounding areas, can enjoy healthy smiles with these beautiful restorations. If you’re interested in learning about the benefits of tooth-colored fillings, feel free to call our Bakersfield office by dialing 661-664-9900. You can also book an appointment online and a friendly team member will get back to you shortly. We look forward to being part of your smile transformation!

Gentle Family Dentistry

9900 Stockdale Hwy.
Suite 201
Bakersfield, CA 93311

Office Hours

Mon
8am – 5pm
Tue
7am – 4pm
Wed
8am – 5pm
Thu
7am – 4pm
Fri
8am – 1pm (every other Friday)
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