Are There Any Advantages to Tooth-Colored Fillings?

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Cavities affect over 90% of people at least once in their lives. In most cases, they can be treated with a custom filling, which restore the tooth by filling the cavity. Traditionally, dental fillings have been made from a safe and durable mixture of metal amalgam. The amalgam is strong enough to withstand even the most intense of your bite’s pressure, and even today, many cavities can be most effectively treated with metal fillings. However, in other cases, tooth-colored fillings provide several advantages over metal ones. Before choosing the right filling, your dentist will discuss whether or not you can benefit more from a metal or tooth-colored restoration.

A More Lifelike Appearance

As their name suggests, tooth-colored fillings are made to blend into the teeth that they are placed in. Each filling is made from highly customizable composite resin, which can be tinted to the specific color and shade of your tooth. This gives your filling a more discreet and lifelike appearance compared to metal fillings, which shine noticeably when exposed to any amount of light. Because of their lifelike appearance, tooth-colored fillings are often recommended for teeth that more visible when you speak and smile.

Better Protection Against Oral Bacteria

Cavities are the result of an infection in your tooth known as tooth decay, which begins when harmful oral bacteria slip past weakened enamel and infect your tooth structure. In addition to filling a cavity, a tooth filling should also protect the exposed tooth structure from oral bacteria to prevent infection from setting in again. Compared to metal amalgam, tooth-colored composite resin can be bonded more securely to your tooth, creating a tighter seal that may offer better protection against oral bacteria in the future.

Can Your Tooth Benefit from a Tooth-Colored Filling?

If you have a newly discovered cavity, or if you’ve previously had one treated with a metal filling, then find out if you can benefit from a tooth-colored restoration by speaking with your dentist. To learn more, or to schedule an appointment for your child, call Gentle Smiles in Dallas, TX, today at 972-329-7645 (972-329-SMILE).