Dental Fillings

TOOTH-COLORED COMPOSITE FILLINGS

Gone are the days of having an unsightly metal filling diminish your smile! Modern dentistry has made great strides in creating durable and aesthetically-pleasing composite resin fillings to repair cavities and complement your smile. We can even use composite for a procedure called bonding that can cover and improve small cosmetic concerns.

If you would like to learn more about tooth-colored fillings or dental bonding, we encourage you to contact our Castro Valley Dental office at 510-988-5545 for more information or to schedule an appointment.

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WHAT IS COMPOSITE RESIN?

Composite resin is a mixture of microscopic glass and plastic particles that can be customized to match your tooth. The material is pliable and easy for your dentist in Castro Valley to work with, and it bonds directly to your tooth, which makes it durable and strong.

Besides the aesthetic benefits for your smile, composite fillings also offer other benefits for patients over metal fillings, such as:

• Longevity: Metal fillings tend to break down due to temperature changes in the mouth that cause expansion and contraction.
• Preserves your natural tooth: Composite fillings don’t require as much tooth structure to be removed for placement as metal fillings. This allows you to maintain more of your natural tooth, which is always our goal.
• Durability: Direct bonding of composite to your tooth ensures less breakdown over time and helps make your tooth strong.

WHY FILLINGS ARE IMPORTANT

If Dr. Yuen spots decay in your tooth, it can usually be treated easily with a simple, tooth-colored filling.

If tooth decay is left untreated or undiagnosed because you haven’t visited your dentist, it will gradually get worse and could eventually reach the nerve of your tooth and result in an infection. An untreated tooth infection could lead to tooth loss, not to mention it could spread to other teeth or more critical areas of your body.

Visiting your Castro Valley dentist every six months is the best way for you to stay on top of your dental health and treat any concerns before they become more significant problems. Being proactive about your dental health saves you time in the dental chair and money in the long run.

DENTAL BONDING

Dental bonding is a procedure that can eliminate some cosmetic imperfections, such as:

• Small fractures and chipping
• Irregularly shaped teeth
• Gaps between teeth
• Stains or discoloration

Dental bonding is a conservative way to restore chipped, crooked, or discolored teeth. This procedure utilizes a white filling “bonded” to your tooth in order to help improve the aesthetics. Because the white filling material comes in a variety of different shades, we will closely match it to your other teeth in order to give you a natural, beautiful smile.

Bonding is more affordable than some other cosmetic treatment options while also having the added benefit of being completed in one office visit. However, dental bonding can stain and chip more frequently than stronger porcelain alternatives (like dental veneers or crowns).

If there are some cosmetic changes you’d like to make to the appearance of your teeth, bonding is a non-invasive and affordable procedure that can significantly enhance your smile. Dr. Yuen would love to talk with you about your options for achieving your best smile.