According to some estimates, more than 90% of people will develop a dental cavity at some point in their life. Fortunately, treating this problem is relatively easy. In most cases, dentists simply use a filling material to stop the decay from worsening and protect the tooth’s interior. But what type of filling should you get? In the past, a metal-based material called silver amalgam was always used. Now, though, tooth-colored fillings in Belmont are available. In this blog post, we will discuss why tooth-colored fillings are the superior option.
No Metals
Amalgam fillings are made out of a mix of metals, a fact that presents a concern for people with allergies or sensitivities. They are also about 50% mercury, which is known to be a toxic material that can cause a range of symptoms, including headaches and other neurological issues. While exposure to mercury vapors from amalgam fillings is quite minimal, its presence still worries health-conscious patients.
Tooth-colored fillings are a completely metal-free restoration in Belmont. They are composed of plastic, glass, and other materials that work well with the human body.
Minimal Tooth Preparation
An amalgam filling simply sits inside a cavity, which means that a dentist might have to remove some healthy dental structure to make sure the filling fits securely. Tooth-colored fillings are made out of a flexible resin that actually bonds with the surrounding tooth. Therefore, they allow patients to keep more of their healthy dentition.
Lower Risk of Leakage
A filling is said to be leaking when bacteria and other harmful substances get around it and may affect the underlying tooth structure. This can contribute to further decay and infections. Any type of filling can leak. However, amalgam may be more prone to this problem because it does not bond with the surrounding dentition.
Less Sensitivity
Amalgam fillings are quite good at conducting temperatures. When you eat something that is hot or cold, the filling can carry that temperature to your tooth’s sensitive inner layers, causing you to experience sharp pain. Since tooth-colored fillings are free of any metals, they are less likely to contribute to sensitivity.
Aesthetics
The appearance of tooth-colored fillings is not their most important benefit — but it is certainly worth noting. Your dentist can shade-match your filling to blend in with the surrounding dentition, meaning that onlookers may never notice that you have had a bit of restorative work done on your smile. Additionally, unlike dark amalgam, tooth-colored fillings do not cause any type of staining on the nearby enamel.
The next time you need a filling, which type will you choose? Your dentist will likely encourage you to choose a tooth-colored one due to the many advantages you may experience.
Meet the Practice
The dentists and staff members at the Center for Contemporary Dentistry are proud to provide a range of general oral health services, including tooth-colored fillings. If you have questions about this treatment or anything else related to the well-being of your teeth and gums, we encourage you to reach out to us at 603-600-6361.