Tooth-Colored Fillings in West Houston, TX

Cavities, one of the most common dental problems, form when bacteria creates a small hole in the teeth. Once the cavity is discovered, it must be sanitized to remove the bacteria before it is sealed to prevent further damage. Not too long ago, cavities were treated with amalgam fillings, which was made with different combinations of metals including silver, gold, and mercury. Today, dental professionals realize that metal fillings don't adhere well to dental enamel, plus there are dangers to your health from mercury-based fillings. MINT dentistry in Houston, TX is committed to giving our patients state-of-the-art treatments that improve their oral health while keeping their smile stunning. This is why MINT dentistry treats dental cavities with tooth-colored fillings. An advanced dental restoration, tooth-colored fillings are made with a material known as composite resin, which fill in cleaned-out cavities after it is shaded to blend seamlessly into your natural enamel. Our team of experienced, board-certified MINT doctors in Houston, TX are dedicated to providing you and your family with the highest-quality dental care with tooth-colored fillings for the treatment of dental cavities.

Fillings made with amalgam are a metal-based compound that were what dentists used to treat tooth decay and cavities for over one hundred years in their patients. Amalgam fillings (made from a combination of metals such as mercury, copper, silver, and tin) were the only available material to treat a dental cavity and restore the tooth. Compared to modern, composite resin fillings, opening your mouth wide to yawn, laugh, or talk means these old, amalgam fillings are easy to see. Although some people still have amalgam fillings, our team of experienced MINT dentistry professionals uses composite resin fillings to restore your dental health and give you a smile that's healthy and dazzling.

Fillings are usually used to fill a cavity once it's been sterilized. A versatile dental material, composite resin can also treat other issues, like sealing small cracks or strengthening worn-down enamel caused by grinding your teeth. Since the material is shaded to blend with your enamel, tooth-colored fillings are used to treat any area of your front and back teeth for a smile that doesn't look like it had cavities. If you're concerned about silver fillings, ask your dentist about getting them replaced with fillings made with composite resin.

At MINT dentistry, getting a filling for a cavity is generally a simple procedure. To begin your appointment, a team member will show you how to use the massaging feature on our comfortable treatment chair, then you can decide on what music you want to listen to during your procedure. The treatment area(s) will then be numbed using local anesthesia to make sure you remain comfortable throughout the process. Adding another sedation method can be reviewed with your MINT team of dental professionals to help any dental fears or anxieties so you can stay relaxed and comfortable. When you're prepped and relaxed, the enamel affected by the cavity will be carefully removed with a state-of-the-art drill. After the affected enamel is eliminated and the surrounding enamel is sanitized, the cavity can be sealed with composite resin and hardened. Your dentist will then polish the material so it blends with your other teeth and feels smooth.

When you leave, you should be able to eat whatever you want immediately following the procedure because the composite resin material used for the filling will be cured, leaving a tough surface. It's common to have extra sensitivity to extreme hot and cold temperatures for a couple of days, but this should resolve on its own. You can take non-prescription pain medication if you feel like you need it, but most patients feel no discomfort. We strongly recommend patients return after getting a filling for an adjustment to make sure your bite has not been altered. Complications with your bite are difficult to avoid since your mouth has been numbed with local anesthesia, but it is usually a quick, simple fix. Just contact us. Tooth-colored fillings should be cared for with a good routine at home that includes flossing and brushing your teeth at least twice a day. At your regular appointments for cleanings, your dentist will inspect your tooth-colored filling and determine if it should be replaced or repaired. Fillings made with composite resin material usually look natural and last for a long time. To make sure your teeth remain healthy, it's important to schedule bi-annual dental cleanings at MINT dentistry.

Tooth-colored fillings are a common treatment for cavities that are generally coveredup to 100% when you use dental insurance. The financial team at MINT dentistry will speak to your insurance provider to check how much your insurance will cover and then calculate your out-of-pocket cost. For patients without insurance, we will talk to you about the payment methods we accept and information on low-interest medical financing. MINT dentistry wants to help everyone in Houston, TX get a healthy, beautiful smile and we're dedicated to making it easy for everyone to fit dental care into their budget. Ask your dentist for more information on how your routine cleanings and treatments like tooth-colored fillings are priced under our exclusive MINT Discount Plan.

Dental cavities are a common issue, but at MINT dentistry, we can treat them in a simple and effective manner to help make sure your teeth stay healthy and dazzling. Thanks to cutting-edge tools and advanced techniques, tooth-colored fillings can stop tooth decay before bigger problems develop. Our experienced doctors and dental professionals will make sure your filling matches your natural enamel for an attractive smile and better oral health. If you have signs of a cavity in your enamel, contact MINT dentistry in Houston, TX to schedule a dental exam.