Cosmetic Dentistry

Southern California including Los Angeles, Santa Clarita, Beverly Hills, Valencia and Hollywood, California

Tooth Colored Fillings Questions

Why do white porcelain fillings strengthen the teeth?
Unlike older metal fillings, tooth colored fillings aim to preserve as much of the natural tooth structure as possible.  In old metal fillings, large amounts of healthy tooth structure had to be removed so that the metal could be held in place.

With tooth colored fillings, only the decayed portion of the tooth needs to be removed for the white porcelain filling to be placed.  The white porcelain filling is permanently bonded to the healthy tooth structure, allowing the white porcelain filling to be more durable and more attractive.

What are inlays and onlays?
Porcelain inlays and onlays are just other terms for white porcelain fillings.  If a white porcelain filling covers less than a third of the tooth, then it is called an inlay, because the white porcelain filling is placed in the tooth.  If the white porcelain filling is larger than a third of the tooth, it is referred to as an onlay, because the white porcelain filling is placed on the tooth.

What are the advantages of white porcelain fillings?
White porcelain fillings have many advantages.  White porcelain fillings are more durable than metal fillings; because of this, they may cost more to be placed, but they will save you money in the long run from not needing to have the white porcelain filling replaced as soon.

White porcelain fillings strengthen your teeth when they are placed.  In the past, metal fillings removed too much natural tooth structure, and if the cavity was too large, they caused you to need a dental crown.  Now, white porcelain fillings can be placed with just the decayed portion of the tooth removed.  Allowing you to keep more of your natural tooth, and strengthening the tooth by being directly bonded to it.

Lastly, white porcelain fillings are much more natural looking. If you have a cavity on a front tooth, a metal filling can detract from your smile, and cause you to be self-conscious or embarrassed.  white porcelain fillings will repair your cavity while looking just like the rest of your natural teeth.

How long will it take to get my white porcelain fillings placed?
If you have a cavity and would like to have it filled with a white porcelain filling, Santa Clarita Dentist, Dr. Goodrick will remove the decayed tooth structure and make an impression of the cavity.  The cavity will then be filled with a temporary filling so that you can resume eating immediately without the pain caused by a cavity.

The impression is then sent to a dental lab that will create the custom white porcelain filling.  This process can take up to a couple weeks; Los Angeles Cosmetic Dentist, Dr. Goodrick will inform you when the filling returns from the lab.  After the white porcelain filling returns, it will be bonded to your tooth. 

How much do white porcelain fillings cost?
White porcelain fillings require at least two visits to Dr. Goodrick’s office, as well as custom creation so that they perfectly fill your cavity and match the rest of your teeth.  Because of this, white porcelain fillings do cost more than composite or traditional metal fillings.

However, white porcelain fillings are more durable and last longer than metal or composite fillings, which means they will cost you less money in the long run.  Also, Dr. Goodrick provides different financing and payment options to help you pay for your white porcelain fillings.

VIEW DR. GOODRICK’S BEFORE AND AFTER WHITE PORCELAIN FILLINGS PHOTOS

If you are in the Los Angeles, Santa Clarita, Beverly Hills, Valencia, or Hollywood, California area and are interested in having your cavities filled with tooth colored fillings, contact our Santa Clarita, California Dentist today to schedule a FREE initial dentistry consultation.