Tooth Colored Fillings Help Maintain a Natural Smile

Years ago, dentists used amalgam fillings for cavities, which were a combination of metals, including mercury. Since mercury is a highly toxic material, modern dentists have sought more healthy and natural alternatives to the traditional amalgam material. Many dentists opt to use tooth colored fillings, which are made of a composite resin that is safer, and it looks significantly better.

Benefits of Tooth Colored Fillings

In addition to the obvious health benefits, tooth colored fillings also look more natural than a metal filling. If someone sees your mouth while your talking (or yawning), they won’t see a hunk of clunky metal. Instead, they’ll see just your bright, shining teeth.

Another benefit of composite fillings is durability and stability. Because the metals didn’t firmly bond with the teeth, the fillings of the past used to just rest on top of the tooth. They often fell out or felt uncomfortable while chewing. If you grew up in the 80s and early 90s, it used to be fun to give a friend a piece of chocolate with a small piece of aluminum foil hidden on top of it and watch them cringe when the foil came in contact with the metal filling.

Overall, composite fillings are a more natural, safe and healthy way to fill a cavity. With toxins like mercury being linked to diseases like Alzheimer’s it’s a crucial health matter to use only composite, tooth-colored fillings rather than the traditional amalgam metals.

How the Procedure Works

The procedure of getting a composite filling is almost identical to getting a traditional filling. The dentist will usually give you local anesthesia to numb the area, and then drill out the area around the cavity to remove any decay. Once the space is clear, the dentist will shape the resin into the hole and then use a blue light to harden or “cure” the filling. The dentist also uses an acid gel to ensure the bond will hold.

Overall, the procedure is quick and painless. The result is a virtually invisible filling that won’t affect your daily routine. In fact, when someone asks you which tooth had the filling, you may not even know without having to do your own in-depth check!

Want to Find Out if Your Fillings Can Be Replaced?

Whether you’d like to have your traditional fillings replaced or need a new filling, a tooth colored filling is widely considered the best type of filling to get. Additionally, a filling is the most common type of restorative procedure, and can be done rather quickly and painlessly. Dr. Drew has an exceptional success rate as far as fillings go. This means fewer fillings falling out or developing decay underneath them. Our patients love this about Oxford Dental Care! Call (208)529-0420 to request a consultation today, or simply click the button below.