“Well, there’s good news and there’s bad news.”
“Gimme the bad news first, Doctor.”
The bad news is you have a cavity. The good news is we can repair that cavity with a tooth-colored filling material, so your smile will remain white and metal-free.
Dr. Paul Caputo has restored smiles with tooth-colored fillings for many patients in Naperville, IL, and he can do the same for you!
You Know the Drill
Dentists have been filling cavities for centuries. For most of that time, the filling of choice has been made of silver amalgam. Although some dentists and patients have been concerned about mercury toxicity from amalgam fillings, there is no conclusive research that demonstrates any risks of having mercury as a component of amalgam dental fillings. However, some patients have metal sensitivities and complain of a metal taste from amalgam fillings.
Tooth-colored fillings are made of either composite resin or porcelain. Thanks to the advancements in dental technology, these fillings are now just as strong and durable as metal fillings. In addition, composite materials often require less tooth preparation, so more of your tooth’s natural structure is preserved.
Tooth-colored Fillings Step-by-Step
Once you are comfortable in the chair, Dr. Caputo will anesthetize and isolate the affected tooth and the immediately surrounding area. It’s important to isolate the tooth in order to prevent saliva from interfering with the bonding process required with a composite filling. Once the decay and any accompanying debris are removed, Dr. Caputo applies an adhesive and the composite material, which is then hardened with a special curing light. With daily brushing and flossing and regular dental checkups, your tooth-colored fillings can last for years and years.
Schedule an Appointment Today
If you would like to learn more about tooth-colored fillings, then call the office of Dr. Paul Caputo in Naperville, IL, today. We also serve patients from Bolingbrook, Aurora, Plainfield, Romeoville, and all of northwestern Illinois.