When it comes to treating any dental health issue, there are often several concerns that you might not realize at first. For example, treating a cavity, which is something many people will have to do at least once in their lives, means more than just filling the hole in your tooth with manmade material. The filling itself must be biocompatible and cause no damage to your tooth structure, as well properly fill and seal the cavity to restore and protect the tooth. Today, we examine why tooth-colored fillings are often better at treating cavities and mitigating their threat, and why patients typically prefer them over more traditional metal ones.
What tooth-colored fillings are made of
Modern tooth-colored fillings aren’t made from the metal amalgam that traditional fillings are made from, but rather from more biocompatible composite resin that consists of finely ground acrylic and quartz-like particles. This gives the filling the ability to blend in with your tooth discreetly, as the resin can be customized to match the tooth’s unique color and shade with highly lifelike results. However, the more natural appearance of a composite resin filling isn’t its only advantage, and its ability to preserve your healthy tooth structure more effectively makes it a more durable restoration in many cases.
The benefits beyond their appearance
Tooth-colored fillings give you the distinct advantage of treating a cavity-stricken tooth without the treatment being obvious to anyone else. They also possess several other highly biocompatible properties that make them highly effective at dealing with the concerns surrounding cavity development. For example, when tooth-colored composite resin is placed within your filling, it conforms precisely to the shape of the depression in your tooth, leaving no wasted space between the material and your tooth structure. Once hardened, the resin creates a tighter and more reliable seal against the harmful oral bacteria that may continue to try to attack the tooth.
Can you benefit from a tooth-colored filling?
Most people who experience a cavity are good candidates for tooth-colored fillings to fix them. In fact, because they don’t contain any traces of metal, tooth-colored fillings are preferable for more patients, including those why may have metal allergies, are pregnant, or who have underlying health concerns. However, if your cavity and the tooth decay behind it are severe enough, you may require more involved restorative treatment, such as root canal therapy, to successfully remove the infection and restore your tooth.
Learn more about tooth-colored fillings
Tooth-colored fillings are often preferred for their more natural appearance, but it’s the way in which they fill and protect your tooth that make them truly beneficial for your smile. To learn more, or to schedule an appointment, call Lake Orion Family Dentistry in Lake Orion, MI, today at 248-693-6213.
