Modern dentistry means that you can have tooth fillings that protect your smile and look completely natural.

Don't Let a Cavity Go Untreated - We Can Help

Tooth-Colored Fillings

Dental decay is one of the most common diseases in America, and most of us have had a dental filling placed at some point in our lives.

Dr. Spencer treats dental decay using only the best and highest quality dental filling materials for his patients so that they can have fillings that are beautiful and that last.

As strange as it may sound, Dr. Spencer enjoys placing fillings! He feels that he is providing conservative treatment that preserves the life and structure of your natural teeth, and it is a treatment that can be completed with little to no discomfort.

Treating Dental Decay

The main reason Dr. Spencer places tooth-colored fillings is to treat dental decay (cavities) caused by bacteria in our mouths. All of us have bacteria in our mouths, but cavities form when we let the bacteria sit in one place for too long. Regular brushing and flossing is the best way to prevent this from happening.

To treat cavities, Dr. Spencer delivers dental anesthetic near the tooth to make sure it is numb. Then he uses small instruments to remove the decayed portion of the tooth and fill the hole with a tooth-colored filling. The filling material is packed into the hole as a putty consistency, but when Dr. Spencer shines a certain wavelength of light on it, it goes from being soft to hard. Dr. Spencer finishes the procedure by checking the fit of the filling with the teeth around it and then polishing it to a beautiful and smooth shine.

Tooth-Colored Fillings for Esthetics

Dr. Spencer can also use tooth-colored fillings to help create beautiful smiles. We can address small chips and fractures, discoloration, and gaps between teeth by using tooth-colored fillings.

How Tooth-Colored Fillings Work

Recent advancements in the chemistry of tooth-colored fillings make them stronger and more attractive than in the past. Dentists often refer to tooth-colored fillings as dental composites because they are a mix between particles of plastic and glass. With just the right mixture, composites are not only harder than ever before but also can be polished to maintain a tooth-like appearance for longer than ever before.

You may also hear Dr. Spencer discuss bonding the composite material to your tooth. Dentists use a special type of glue to attach dental restorations to your teeth. The way this glue works is really cool!

Imagine the glue as a piece of string. On one end of the string is a type of molecule specializing in bonding to your natural tooth. On the other end of the string is a type of molecule specializing in bonding to the dental composite material. The advanced chemistry of the bonding agents, as well as the innovations in dental composite materials, allows Dr. Spencer to provide you with tooth-colored fillings that look and feel like your natural teeth.

Get Answers to Your Questions About Tooth-Colored Fillings

If you believe you have a cavity or are interested in using tooth-colored fillings to enhance your smile, Dr. Spencer will gladly help answer your questions.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do tooth-colored fillings and crowns last?

Dr. Rowan expects all dental restorations to last long into the future, but the answer to this question depends on two factors. First, how strong is the foundation of healthy, natural tooth structure? Second, how well do you take care of the restoration?

For tooth-colored fillings, the smaller the filling, the longer it will last. Huge fillings don’t have as much support from the surrounding natural tooth structure and may actually lead to the tooth chipping or breaking at some point in the future. The expected longevity of crowns depends on how much healthy tooth structure remains underneath the crown. If nearly all of the tooth has been destroyed by decay or a fracture, then the crown's foundation isn’t as strong.

Equally important is how well you take care of the restoration. If you maintain a clean and healthy mouth, restorations will last a very long time. Although the filling material and the crown material cannot get cavities, if you don’t keep the area clean, the surrounding tooth structure can still decay. Some people are also harder on their teeth than others. If you chew on ice or grind your teeth, your restorations will wear out more quickly.

Do cavities hurt?

Most of the time, no! One of the most common misconceptions is that cavities are painful. A tooth is made up of three layers – a thin enamel layer, a thick dentin layer, and then the canal space.

When Dr. Spencer is evaluating x-rays, he’s looking to see any shadows that penetrate through the tooth's outer enamel layer.

If so, then this cavity needs to be treated with a tooth-colored filling. These types of cavities are rarely or ever noticeable to the patient but are important to treat before they grow and become a bigger problem.

If a cavity is left untreated for a long time, it will eventually work its way through the tooth's dentin layer and enter the canal space. This is where the tooth's nerve is, and this is where cavities can really start to hurt!

Routine dental exams are important because Dr. Spencer can identify and treat cavities while they are small before they cause any pain.

What toothpaste do you recommend?

Dr. Spencer will often tell his patients, “The best toothpaste is the one that gets you to brush your teeth twice a day!” Several kinds of toothpaste will be equally effective for you, so choose one with a nice flavor.

He recommends that whatever toothpaste you select, that it contains fluoride. This is the one active ingredient that has been shown over and over again to fight cavities. Another criterion you can use is to look for the ADA Seal of Acceptance. The American Dental Association has identified these products as being effective at what they claim to do.

For people who have sensitive teeth, Dr. Rowan recommends using a toothpaste for sensitive teeth. Most of the major toothpaste companies have a “sensitive” formulation. The active ingredients are the same across brands, so again, find one that you prefer and try it out! Toothpaste for sensitive teeth is pretty effective at reducing the amount of sensitivity, but it takes time to work. You should expect to use the toothpaste for at least three weeks before you notice a difference.

Meet Our Doctors:

Spencer Rowan DDS

Dr. Spencer Rowan has shown exemplary clinical skills, vast knowledge of current dentistry protocols, and an amazing ability to connect with our patients. He loves educating patients on ways to restore and maintain oral health. ...

Creed Rowan DMD

Dr. Creed has been in private practice in Merced for more than 35 years. He is a 1977 graduate of Washington University in St. Louis. He is certified by the State of California to provide conscious sedation dentistry. Dr. Creed has been dedicated to continuing his dental education and has earned the title of Mentor with the Kois Center in Seattle–a prestigious clinic that teaches dentists across the world the ...

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