8 Benefits of Tooth-Colored Fillings: Beyond the Aesthetic Appeal

According to the CDC, over a quarter of American adults live with untreated dental cavities. This isn't just a cosmetic issue - it can also cause both painful aches and future health complications.

Tooth-colored fillings are ideal cosmetic dental treatments for a natural smile. They also serve several practical health-related purposes, too.

Here, we're going to talk about these fillings':

Durability
Function
Purpose

Read on to learn the benefits of natural dental fillings beyond the aesthetics.

Now that you know some ways that tooth-colored fillings can improve your oral health, it's time to look into your dental restoration options.

1. Increased Confidence

Those with visible holes in their teeth often feel embarrassed about their smiles.

Bupa Healthcare group found that 42% of people would change their smile if they were allowed to alter one aspect of their appearance. Researchers also found that a third of respondents were embarrassed by their grins.

Tooth-colored fillings are a natural-look solution to gaps and holes. After they're inside your mouth, you won't be flashing metal when you smile. This isn't just a good aesthetic—it's also beneficial for your self-esteem and mental health.

2. Durable Dental Fillings

Many dental fillings are made with:

Gold, which can wear down over time when exposed to food and beverages
Silver, which discolors quickly while cracking and fracturing easily

Tooth-colored fillings are primarily made with composite resins. They're:

Malleable to your tooth shape
Shock-resistant
Stain resistant
Unlikely to crack and fissure (as metal fillings do)
Able to bond strongly to your teeth

3. Porcelain and Composite Resins: Multiple Options for Tooth-Colored Fillings

Composite resins are the most popular dental filling type. They're great for:

Small cavities
Fixing chipped teeth
Inexpensive tooth-colored fillings
Quick fixes before special events
Shock resistance

Porcelain is another option for those who want their fillings to match their teeth's colors. It's the most expensive filling material, but it's:

100% resistant to discoloration
Unlikely to crack due to bruxism
Perfect for large fillings since it can be shaped inside wide spaces

Resin filling is easy and effective. It lasts for up to 10 years and is easy to replace with a new filling when needed.

Porcelain can last for decades, which is a huge benefit if you can afford the upfront payment. But it takes longer to install and isn't the best option for small cavities and chips. Talk with an experienced dental professional for a comprehensive run-down of both options.

4. Cost-Effective Dental Solutions

Various filling materials have different costs:

Gold - $400 per tooth
Silver - $160 per tooth
Porcelain - $1,150 per tooth

Porcelain fillings match the color of your teeth and are expensive as a result. But composite resin mimics the natural color of your teeth, too.

Composite resin fillings are only about $191 per tooth!

That's way less than gold or porcelain. It's a little more than silver, but the resin lasts for a longer time and requires fewer replacements. You won't need to pay for a replacement filling any time soon.

5. Metal-Free Solutions

Traditional metal fillings in Oklahoma dentistry don't just look awkward. They're also made with materials like mercury.

Mercury can have negative effects on the nervous system in some cases, causing headaches and nausea. While it's not the main material for any filling, trace amounts might be in the gold or silver used for dental care.

Using composite resins or ceramics means that no metal enters your mouth. You won't need to worry about bad oral health impacts from residual fillings!

Even if you're not worried about the health impacts of trace metals, avoiding metal fillings is still beneficial. Metal tends to:

Expand and contract when temperatures change
Press uncomfortably against the surrounding tooth material
Become chipped and broken with the pressure of expansion/contraction

When you use tooth-colored materials, they don't react to temperature changes like that. This will save you both discomfort and costly repairs.

6. Great for Bone Health

Traditional metal fillings are the primary alternative to natural-looking aesthetic dental fillings. When you have these fillings inserted into your mouth, the dentist will

Remove some healthy tooth structure
Ensure that the gap is large enough to accommodate the filling
Chip away more of the tooth to create an even and well-structured space

Conversely, Oklahoma dentists won't need to remove any of your healthy tooth matter for tooth-colored alternatives. Instead, they:

Go on top of the tooth
Bond with the surrounding dentition
Dry in place

This allows you to keep as many of your natural teeth as possible. It's also healthier and less painful.

7. Quicker Fillings

No matter how friendly your general dentistry practitioner is, you probably don't want to spend all day sitting in a dentist's chair. Placing a tooth-colored filling in a patient's mouth takes less than an hour since the composite resin just needs to harden.

The dentist:

Administers a local anesthesia

Takes decayed tooth matter out of the inside of the tooth

Puts liquid composite resin inside of the tooth

Hardens the filling with a curing light

Shapes the filling perfectly

Polishes it for a seamless appearance

It's that simple!

8. Able to Go Anywhere

If you already have metal fillings but don't want them to be visible anymore, you'll be glad to know that you can easily replace silver/amalgam or gold fillings with porcelain!

A dentist will remove the fillings with professional tools, clean out the holes in your teeth, and re-fill them with porcelain.

This is a natural thing to do when your metal fillings begin to crack or chip. They'll inevitably need eventual replacement. You can wait until then if you need to.

But you can also get new tooth-colored fillings sooner rather than later. They're made to last a long time, so you won't be sitting in the dentist's chair again for quite a while!

Look Into Dental Restoration Options

At Dental Arts, we strive to make oral healthcare easy for patients. We offer 25% of in-office appointments and schedule patients for early morning, evening, and weekend care. We take a wide range of insurance plans to make natural dental fillings affordable.

Research Oklahoma dental services and make an appointment in Bixby ASAP!

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Benefits of Laser Cavity Filling | Dental Arts of OK Guide

By Dental Arts of Catoosa • March 28, 2025

According to the Centers for Disease Control, about 21% of adults ages 20 to 64 have at least one untreated cavity. Leaving a cavity untreated can lead to a severe infection that may spread throughout the body. In rare cases, it can become fatal. Instead of delaying treatment, ask your dentist in Catoosa, OK, about getting a laser cavity filling . What are the benefits of this dental innovation? Read on to find out! Why Seek Treatment? According to the World Health Organization , untreated dental cavities in permanent teeth are the most common health condition worldwide. Cavities are holes that develop due to untreated tooth decay. Acids can wear down (erode) your tooth's protective outer layer (enamel). Common symptoms of a cavity include: Bad breath Toothaches A bad taste in the mouth Sensitivity to hot or cold Facial swelling Bleeding gums If these symptoms sound familiar, consult your Catoosa, OK dentist right away. They can recommend a pain-free cavity treatment. Without treatment, the cavity can reach your tooth pulp (the innermost layer of a tooth). An infection may form on the tip of the tooth's root before spreading to the surrounding tissues. In rare cases, the infection can spread to the bloodstream (sepsis) or the brain. A dental filling can restore your tooth before you require more extensive treatments. What Is Laser Dentistry? Laser dentistry is a minimally invasive dentistry procedure that uses highly concentrated light. The light can remove or reshape tissue. In addition to treating cavities, this dental innovation is also used for: Gum disease Teeth whitening Hypersensitivity Uses Though still used among other modern dental techniques, laser dentistry became common in the 1990s. It can be used for both hard and soft tissue procedures. Hard tissue procedures include: Cavity detection Tooth sensitivity treatment Tooth preparations and dental fillings The laser may find evidence of tooth decay, allowing you to begin immediate cavity treatment. During the procedure, you won't require local anesthesia or traditional drills. Instead, the laser will kill the bacteria in your cavity, improving the tooth's long-term health. Soft tissue procedures include: Crown lengthening Treating gummy smiles Treating tongue frenulum attachment The laser can reshape gum tissue if the gums are covering your teeth, improving the appearance of your smile. Crown lengthening involves reshaping bone and tissue to improve the tooth's structure. This can help with placing future tooth restorations. Other procedures include: Removing benign tumors Treating TMJ Treating obstructive sleep apnea Viewing the inside of a tooth or gum tissue Teeth whitening Treating cold sores Nerve regeneration Benefits A laser cavity filling procedure can help with more than improving dental health. Here are a few benefits to discuss with your family dentist if you need cavity treatment. Cavity Detection Not all cavities appear at a surface level, making them more difficult to detect. In some cases, dentists can struggle to reach the damaged area. The dentist may need to remove teeth to properly view or repair the infected tooth. A dental laser can detect and treat cavities that aren't easy to see. The laser will assess parts of the mouth that other dental instruments can't. Choosing modern dental techniques may save your tooth. Minimally Invasive Dentistry Dental drills can sometimes unnecessarily remove natural, undamaged portions of a tooth. Dental lasers, on the other hand, are precise and less invasive. This precision allows them to remove decayed or damaged tissue without harming surrounding structures. Choosing this minimally invasive dentistry technique can help with improving dental health. If dental drills make you nervous, this option can also provide peace of mind. Since the treatment is minimally invasive, your recovery time may improve. You can get back to eating your favorite foods without prolonged delay. Combats Infection Dental lasers sterilize tissue as they work. This ensures that residual bacteria are eliminated during the procedure. Choosing treatment using a dental laser may help reduce your risk of post-treatment complications, including infection. Carbon dioxide lasers can strengthen your tooth enamel's natural structure, making the tooth more resilient than before. Remember, dental lasers can treat both hard and soft tissues. According to market research company Grand View Research , laser dentistry is primarily used in periodontics (17.8% of all applications). Talk to your dentist if you have periodontal (gum) disease. They can treat the infection before it affects your overall health. Pain-Free Cavity Treatment Modern dental techniques are more effective at finding and cleaning cavities without causing as much pain as older dental instruments. You may not need much or any anesthetic during your procedure. Instead, you can remain comfortable while receiving the treatment you need. Safe for Improving Dental Health If you have a cavity, this dental innovation is a safe and effective treatment option. It's safe for both children and adults. Recognizing these benefits may give you peace of mind before your appointment. Lasers are more precise than drills. There's a lower chance that a dentist will damage other parts of your tooth while removing the infected area. Less Dental Anxiety Since this pain-free cavity treatment is less invasive, it won't cause discomfort, which may ease a patient's dental anxiety. Reduced dental anxiety can encourage patients to return for routine appointments. Scheduling regular appointments and preventive dentistry can protect your oral and overall health. If you have crippling dental anxiety, talk to your Catoosa dentist about sedation dentistry. Sedation dentistry can keep you calm during the procedure to ensure you receive the care you need. Your dentist can develop a customized treatment plan based on your concerns. Schedule Your Laser Cavity Filling Getting a laser cavity filling can protect your smile and improve your overall health. Don't delay seeking treatment for your cavity. Instead, consult your Catoosa, OK dentist to determine if this pain-free cavity treatment is right for you. At Dental Arts, we prioritize our patients to ensure they receive the treatment they need. With up to 25% off in-office dental plans, convenient evening and weekend appointments, and a commitment to providing excellent care in a friendly environment, we can make it easy for you to maintain peak dental health. Contact us now to schedule your laser cavity filling appointment!

Dental Bonding vs. Veneers: Which Cosmetic Treatment Is Right for You?

By Dental Arts of Catoosa • March 24, 2025

Cosmetic dentistry is growing at an unprecedented rate. According to Identity Dental Marketing, in 2024, the number of people who underwent treatments like veneers, teeth whitening, and complete smile makeovers significantly increased. The surge in demand reflects a growing desire for brighter, more uniform smiles and increased confidence in personal and professional settings. Both procedures can enhance your smile. However, they differ in their approach, longevity, cost, and suitability for different dental concerns. Understanding the differences between veneers and bonding can help you choose the best option. Keep reading to explore their unique benefits, costs, and which treatment might be the best fit for you. What is dental boding? Dental bonding is when a tooth-colored composite resin is applied to the teeth to correct imperfections. The resin is strategically sculpted, hardened with a special light, and polished to integrate with the natural tooth. This treatment is excellent for minor cosmetic matters and is one of the quickest and most affordable ways to enhance your smile. Dental Bonding Benefits Dental bonding is an effective and affordable way to improve the appearance of your teeth . It is a great option for minor cosmetic enhancements without invasive procedures. Here's a deeper dive into the benefits: Quick and painless: The procedure is usually completed in a single visit, often in less than an hour per tooth Affordable: The cost of veneers vs bonding favors bonding, making it the more budget-friendly solution Reversible: Since very little to no enamel is removed, the procedure can be reversed if desired. Great for minor corrections: Bonding is best for small chips, slight discoloration, and minor gaps between teeth. what are dental veneers? Dental veneers are customized thin shells commonly created out of porcelain and bonded to the teeth' front surface. Veneers are a complete smile transformation. They provide a long-lasting solution for various dental imperfections. Veneers Benefits Dental veneers provide a long-term solution for those looking to enhance their smile. They are an excellent choice for individuals seeking a more dramatic transformation with lasting results. With their ability to mimic the natural translucency of teeth, veneers offer a highly realistic and aesthetically pleasing appearance. Durable and long-lasting: Porcelain veneers can last 10-40 years with proper care Stain-resistant: Unlike natural teeth, porcelain veneers resist staining from coffee, wine, and other pigmented foods Comprehensive smile enhancement: They can cover discoloration, close gaps, fix misshapen teeth, and create a uniform, aesthetically pleasing smile Differences Between Veneers and Dental Bonding Cosmetic dental treatments vary in approach and effectiveness, making it essential to understand which option best suits your needs. When you are looking at dental bonding vs veneers, it is important to know that they both enhance the smile but differ in several ways. Material and Appearance Dental bonding uses a tooth-colored composite resin sculpted directly onto the tooth. Veneers, on the other hand, are made from porcelain or composite material. They offer a highly polished, natural appearance that mimics real teeth. Durability and Lifespan Dental bonding typically lasts five to seven years, while veneers can last 10 to 40 years with proper care. Veneers are more resistant to chipping and cracking compared to bonding. Stain Resistance Composite resin used in bonding can stain over time, especially with regular consumption of wine, tea, coffee. Porcelain veneers, however, are highly stain-resistant, keeping your smile bright for years to come. Procedure Time Bonding is a quick solution, often completed in one visit. Veneers usually require multiple appointments. The veneer process involves: Taking impressions Fabricating the veneers in a dental lab and bonding them to the teeth Tooth Preparation Minimal to no enamel is removed for bonding, making it a more conservative option. This makes bonding an attractive choice for those who want to maintain the integrity of their natural teeth. Veneers require the removal of a thin layer of enamel to ensure a proper fit, making them a permanent choice. Cost of Veneers vs Bonding The cost of veneers vs bonding varies significantly. Bonding is generally more affordable, with an average cost ranging from $300 to $600 per tooth . Veneers, on the other hand, are a more substantial investment, costing between $900 and $2,500 per tooth . The price difference is due to the materials used, the procedure's complexity, and the results' longevity. While veneers have a higher upfront cost, they last longer than bonding. This makes them a worthwhile investment for those seeking a permanent cosmetic solution. Are You a Candidate for Cosmetic Dentistry? Anyone unhappy with their smile due to discoloration, chips, gaps, or uneven teeth may benefit from cosmetic dentistry options like bonding or veneers. However, healthy teeth and gums are essential before undergoing any cosmetic treatment. Issues like cavities or gum disease must be addressed first to ensure long-term success. A consultation with a qualified dentist will help determine the best course of action based on your dental health and cosmetic goals. Why Choose Dental Arts for Your Smile Makeover? At Dental Arts in Locust Grove, OK, we understand that choosing a cosmetic dental procedure is a significant decision. Dr. Michaelsen and his team provide top-tier cosmetic dentistry options in a welcoming, patient-focused environment. Here's why patients trust Dental Arts: Experienced and compassionate care: Our team prioritizes patient health and comfort Flexible scheduling: Evening and early morning appointments make it easier for working professionals to get the care they need Affordable solutions: We offer an in-house dental plan to help reduce costs for our patients Personalized treatment plans: Every smile is unique, and we customize treatments to fit your needs Dental Bonding vs Veneers: Making the Right Choice Choosing between dental bonding vs veneers depends on your specific needs, budget, and long-term goals. Dental bonding benefits those who want a quick, cost-effective fix for minor imperfections. Veneers benefit those seeking a long-lasting, stain-resistant solution for a perfect smile. Consulting a trusted cosmetic dentist can help you determine the best option for your situation. At Dental Arts, we offer comprehensive cosmetic consultations to guide you toward the best treatment for your dream smile. Contact Dental Arts in Locust Grove, OK, today to schedule your free consultation. Let us help you achieve the confident, beautiful smile you deserve!