Ideally, treating a tooth that has a cavity wouldn’t leave a metallic shine in the tooth for the rest of the person’s life. This is why many people hesitate to treat a cavity when they believe that a metal filling is their only choice for doing so. Today, however, more fillings are crafted from biocompatible materials such as composite resin, which offers are natural-looking results when customized to match your tooth’s specific color and shade. Their discreet appearance is a significant advantage; however, tooth-colored fillings are more beneficial to your tooth and oral health in the long run, as well.
They restore your tooth’s strength
When a cavity develops in your tooth’s main structure, it’s because the tooth has become infected with decay and its structure is eroding. The threat of more severe infection is one of the most important reasons to treat the cavity as soon as possible. However, after removing the infected tooth structure, the tooth itself may still suffer from weaker structural integrity. With a tooth-colored filling, the biocompatible resin can bond securely to your tooth structure and conform precisely to the shape of the cavity. This helps restore most of the tooth structure you’ve lost and help the tooth regain most of its strength and integrity.
They protect the exposed tooth structure
The overall strength of your tooth isn’t the only thing that’s affected by a cavity’s development. After the cavity has been cleaned, the affected portion of your tooth will no longer be protected by tooth enamel, and may still be vulnerable to infection by oral bacteria. Another important function of a filling is to protect the portion of your tooth that it restores from further infection. Tooth-colored composite resin can do more effectively by bonding more securely to your tooth structure than metal can. This also means your tooth will be less likely to become more severely decayed and require more extensive treatment later, such as root canal therapy.
They help you avoid further treatment
The problem with the tooth decay that causes cavities is that it’s progressive, and treating it once doesn’t mean your tooth has become immune to bacterial infection. By providing a more effective way to protect your tooth from further decay, a tooth-colored filling also lowers your risk of needing to address more severe, internal tooth decay later. This could require removing the nerves and tissues from within the tooth’s pulp and root canal chambers, and is a more extensive process than filling a more moderate cavity.
Benefit from a tooth-colored filling
Tooth-colored fillings are most notable for their more natural appearance, but their biocompatibility also benefits your tooth in several other important ways. To learn more, or to schedule an appointment, call Lake Orion Family Dentistry in Lake Orion, MI, today at 248-693-6213.
