Not all fillings are created equal. One day you might look at yourself in the mirror and come to suspect you have a cavity upon examining your teeth. While this is certainly a frustrating thing to find, it’s nothing to be embarrassed about. Most adults in America have received fillings at some point, and most of them are made of a metal-based substance called amalgam. These days, however, tooth-colored fillings are becoming the more favored form of cavity repair. Here are three reasons why tooth-colored fillings might be the best choice the next time you need your tooth fixed.
Tooth-Colored Fillings Are Virtually Invisible
Amalgam fillings have faithfully served dentists and patients for centuries, but they can be quite conspicuous. It can sometimes be hard not to notice a dark metallic spot in someone’s teeth when they laugh or speak. Tooth-colored fillings are made from the same composite resin used for dental bonding, resulting in a repair that blends in seamlessly with the rest of your smile. It’s quite unlikely that anyone but your dentist will notice that it’s there.
Tooth-Colored Fillings Form a Stronger Bond with the Existing Tooth Structure
Placing traditional amalgam fillings requires some healthy tooth structure around the cavity to be removed. Tooth-colored fillings, on the other hand, form a stronger bond with the enamel surrounding them, enabling your dentist to preserve more of the tooth’s natural structure, making for a higher-quality repair. They can last for about seven years on average, but they can last longer with proper dental care.
Tooth-Colored Fillings Contain No Metal
While heavy metal is great for your ears, it’s not so excellent to put in your teeth. Amalgam fillings can contain metals like silver, zinc, copper, and mercury, meaning that they can cause irritation in people with metal allergies or sensitivities. To make things even more difficult, mercury is a toxic substance, and having an amalgam filling removed requires elaborate equipment to protect everyone involved from mercury vapor. Tooth-colored fillings contain no metal, allowing you to feel safe with a completely non-toxic restoration.
It’s the twenty-first century, so why not leave the old-fashioned cavity repairs behind? Though they sometimes require more frequent replacement, composite resin fillings can last as long as amalgam ones with the proper care. Tooth-colored fillings let you keep your whole smile the same color after a cavity, and that’s something to grin about.
About the Practice
Pelican Landing Dental is dedicated to providing personalized dentistry for everyone in Bonita Springs, FL. Led by a team of six dentists, the skilled staff uses the most innovative technologies so the practice can deliver the best services available. Areas of expertise include preventive, cosmetic, emergency, and restorative dentistry such as tooth-colored fillings. For more information on the advantages of repairing your cavity with composite resin, contact the office online or dial (239) 766-6311.
