Tooth-Colored Fillings

If you are embarrassed about your smile because of decayed or discolored teeth, you may be a good candidate for composite resins. A composite resin is a silicon dioxide-filled tooth-colored material mixture that can restore teeth to an attractive, healthy state. Composite resins present several advantages to the patient compared with traditional silver fillings. First, Dr. Rutledge is able to blend composite shades and shapes to match your original teeth nearly perfectly. Second, the tooth-composite bond actually serves to support the remaining tooth structure, preventing breakage and providing insulation against temperature changes. Finally, small- to average-sized composites have demonstrated similar duration to silver fillings.

Resin placement is simple. Depending on the size of the filling and on the location of the composite, it may require as little as ten or 20 minutes longer than what is needed for a traditional silver filling. Although some patients notice a bit of post-placement sensitivity, this is temporary.