Skip to main content

Dental Fillings

Smiles in Springfield Our Services Dental Fillings

Smiles in Springfield

General Dentists & Implant Dentist located in Springfield, VA

No one will ever know you have dental fillings when your dental care is provided by Dr. Quang Cao Tran, DDS, at Smiles in Springfield. He uses tooth-colored fillings to repair cavities so you’ll never need to worry about showing a blast of silver every time you laugh. If you have a tooth that’s sensitive or painful, it’s time to schedule a checkup to be sure you don’t have tooth decay. Call the office in Springfield, Virginia, or schedule an appointment online today.

Dental Fillings Q & A

Will my dental filling match my tooth color?

The dentists at Smiles in Springfield restore your cavity using a filling that’s customized to match the color of your natural enamel. Tooth-colored fillers are made from a composite resin that contains a mixture of fine glass and plastic particles that can be tinted with color.

In addition to repairing a cavity, tooth-colored dental fillings restore the shape, strength, and function of your teeth. They also block spaces where bacteria can get inside the tooth.

What benefits do I gain from tooth-colored dental fillings?

Your tooth-colored dental filling is:

  • Natural looking (no silver fillings glaring out when you smile)
  • Free of metal (resins are biocompatible and don’t darken your tooth)
  • Free of mercury (silver amalgams contain mercury)
  • Long-lasting (just as durable as silver amalgam fillings)

Another important benefit of tooth-colored dental fillings is that they preserve your tooth’s structure. For other types of fillings, your dentist must cut wedges into the tooth to support the filling. That’s not needed with tooth-colored fillings, which means more of your healthy tooth stays intact.

What should I expect during a dental filling?

When you come in for a dental filling, your dentist first removes the decay and cleans the tooth. Then a weak acid is placed on the prepared area. The acid opens pores in the tooth, allowing the enamel to bond with the composite resin.

Your dentist uses a shade guide to choose the perfect color for your filling, tints the resin, then applies it to your tooth. After using a special light to harden the material, your dentist smooths and polishes the filling for a flawless look.

How should I care for my tooth-colored dental filling?

Tooth-colored fillings can last 10 years or longer when you take care of them by:

  • Brushing your teeth twice daily for at least two minutes
  • Flossing every night before bed
  • Not chewing on hard or sticky foods
  • Not using your teeth as tools to open packages
  • Scheduling a dental exam every six months
  • Avoiding things that can stain the filling

Foods with dark pigments such as coffee, tea, red wine, and berries are the top causes of teeth staining, including your resin filling. Tobacco products also cause significant staining.

If you develop tooth sensitivity or pain, schedule a checkup by calling Smiles in Springfield or by booking an appointment online.

What we offer

Services