If you had a silver filling placed years ago, you have probably noticed that it has darkened over time. Not only does it appear darker, but the discoloration actually makes your own dental enamel take on a bluish hue. This is a very common problem for lots of people, but we use tooth-colored fillings at our Van Nuys office because they offer an esthetically-pleasing appearance.

Replace With Tooth-Colored Fillings

We can replace your silver filling with a tooth-colored filling made of a dental composite that can be color-matched to the exact shade of the rest of your tooth. Unlike silver amalgam fillings, you won’t be able to see where the tooth and filling meets.

Another option for hiding a darkened amalgam filling is a dental crown. The crown completely encases the filled tooth, masking the discolored filling, and strengthening the tooth. The result is a beautiful, fresh new tooth that matches your surrounding teeth perfectly.

White Fillings in Van Nuys

The option we choose will depend on your dental needs as well as your budget. We will be happy to work with you to find the solution that is most effective for protecting your oral health and leaving you with a bright, beautiful smile. Please contact Saticoy Plaza Dentistry, and we will be happy to arrange a consultation for you with Dr. Bacquet to discuss your needs.

Most dental offices today use tooth-colored fillings to restore a decayed tooth. The material used for these is more visually appealing than silver material that leaves a dark spot in your smile.

Our Van Nuys Office Does Fillings Right

We call tooth-colored fillings placed at our Van Nuys dental office restorations. A restoration makes a tooth like new again, and can actually improve the strength of the remaining tooth structure. Depending on how well you care for your smile, tooth-colored composite fillings can last anywhere from five to seven years.

You may also hear these fillings referred to as composite resin, dental composites, or composite fillings because they are a “composite” or blend of glass and plastic particles. This mixture gives fillings an appearance that resembles dental enamel, and we can further customize it by shading the material to blend in with the remaining healthy tooth structure.

The better you care for your teeth, the longer your composite filling will last. Brush at least twice a day and floss once to ensure that plaque and tartar that cause decay don’t build up on your teeth. Visit Saticoy Plaza Dentistry twice a year for dental exams and cleanings so we can check the condition of your filling periodically.

Dental Restorations in Van Nuys CA

If you think you need a filling or have questions about maintaining a healthy smile, please call our Van Nuys dental office to arrange a consultation with Dr. Bacquet.

Tooth-colored fillings are a mixture of tooth-colored plastic and glass particles. You may also hear them referred to as dental composites, composite fillings, or tooth-colored composites.

Natural teeth don’t have a flat white appearance, and this combination of materials gives composite fillings a natural, translucent look that closely resembles dental enamel. The composite material is easy to handle, so Dr. Bacquet can shape it to blend in with the shape of your tooth. And since we can also shade the material to match the color of your teeth, once w place your filling, even you won’t be able to detect it.

Fillings That Look Like Your Tooth

Since dental composites look so natural, we also use them to eliminate flaws like chipped enamel and to enhance and improve the appearance of your smile. This process is called dental bonding, and it’s a conservative and affordable alternative to treatments like porcelain veneers.

Tooth-colored fillings placed at our Van Nuys dental office are durable and, with proper home care and preventive exams and cleanings, can last five to seven years before we need to replace them. 

Tooth-Colored Fillings in Van Nuys 

If you have a cavity that needs to be filled or you have some smile flaws you’d like to correct, please call Saticoy Plaza Dentistry to arrange an appointment.

Placing a tooth-colored filling is a straightforward process that we complete during one appointment. It’s easier than placing a silver amalgam filling that involves removing healthy tooth structure.

How Fillings Work 

A tooth-colored filling is bonded directly to your tooth, which means that in some cases, we may not even need to numb the tooth. However, if tooth decay has progressed to the layer below the enamel, a topical anesthetic will be used for your comfort.

The first step is to choose a shade for the filling material that will closely match the rest of the tooth. Next, Dr. Bacquet removes the decay and cleans the tooth thoroughly. Then he applies a bonding agent to the tooth structure that adheres to the material. Dr. Bacquet places the filling and shapes it to resemble the structure of your tooth. The final step is to set and harden the filling with a curing light.

During the next step, he will make adjustments to the filling to ensure that it doesn’t interfere with your dental bite and that floss can slide easily between your teeth. Dr. Bacquet will make any further adjustments by smoothing and polishing the new filling.

Beautiful White Fillings in Van Nuys

If you have a cavity and would like to learn more about tooth-colored fillings in Van Nuys, CA, please call Saticoy Plaza Dentistry to arrange an appointment.