Sep
There was a time when the best option for filling a cavity was a metallic filling. As years went by, dental technologies and treatment methods have evolved, creating tooth-colored fillings. If it has been long since you last had a filling, this may be news to you. Tooth-colored fillings are made of a composite resin material, a mix of plastic, silica, and glass. Dr. Terri Nguyen and the team at West Portal Family Dentistry in San Francisco, California, would like to share some of the benefits you can expect when choosing tooth-colored fillings for front teeth.
There is a reason they are called tooth-colored fillings. This form of filling can be shaded to blend perfectly with the tooth to which it is being applied. Dr. Nguyen will carefully blend composite resin to match the color of your tooth. This is a vast difference from metal fillings of the past, which were metallic silver or gold in color. With a tooth-colored filling, others will never be able to tell you just got done with the dentist.
Old metal fillings are called amalgam fillings. These fillings are a combination of different metals, including a small amount of mercury. While the effect of mercury in fillings is highly debated, many patients would prefer not to have any of it in their mouth if avoidable. This makes a tooth-colored filling a great option as they are metal- and mercury-free.
Resin has been an available option for fillings for years, but for a long time, it was not strong enough to reach the mainstream. Early versions of tooth-colored resin fillings had a much shorter lifespan and would require replacement every few years. Thanks to advancements in science, today’s resin fillings are much stronger and more durable than before. You can expect a tooth-colored filling to last for many years before needing to be replaced. With proper oral hygiene, you can extend the life of your filling even further.
Metal amalgam could not be bonded to a tooth. This was a major shortcoming of this type of filling. Composite resin, on the other hand, can be bonded to the tooth. This makes them much less likely to become dislodged. Also, because resin can be applied to the cavity more easily than metal, Dr. Nguyen will be able to leave more of your natural tooth intact while preparing to apply your filling.
Are you overdue for a dental checkup and examination, or do you need to have a cavity looked at? If so, please schedule an appointment with Dr. Terri Nguyen and the team at West Portal Family Dentistry in San Francisco, California.
Tooth-colored fillings make the filling process so much easier than in the past, and, as discussed above, they offer many great benefits. Call us today at (415) 604-9292.