Tooth Colored Fillings

Although metal fillings have been used to fix teeth for centuries, the development of modern composite resin and ceramics have allowed us to repair teeth with non-metal materials. These materials can be fused (“bonded”) to your teeth in ways that traditional silver fillings cannot. This not only results in more attractive teeth, but also helps to strengthen teeth that have been broken or damaged. After damaged tooth structure and/or old fillings are removed, new composite resin can be bonded into place and custom shaped to maximize function and beauty. That’s why we refer to composite fillings as “restorations” – because they restore your tooth in a way that mimics the original strength and natural appearance.

BEFORE : An old, failing silver filling                     After placement of a bonded, tooth colored restoration

Though metal (silver) fillings are still commonly used, Drs. Steel have chosen to use only bonded materials in their Sandy Spring dental office to restore teeth since 1988 and therefore have many years of experience creating beautiful, strong tooth colored restorations. Since a variety of resin and ceramic materials are available to restore teeth, having experienced cosmetic-restorative dentists helping to select the appropriate treatment for your teeth is very important.

At our office, we do not advocate removal of existing fillings unless they are damaged or defective in some way. Unfortunately, it is not always possible to determine when an old silver filling starts to fail, since the metal tends to discolor the tooth much like decay might. If you have old, discolored fillings that may be failing, you can choose to replace them with modern tooth colored materials that will return your teeth to their natural form and function.

Contact our dental office between Ashton and Olney, Maryland if you want to discuss your options for composite resin restorations.