After spending a few minutes brushing your teeth this morning, you might’ve noticed that one of your teeth felt a little sore—and you’re now pretty sure that you have a cavity! This means that it’s time to visit your dentist for treatment, and one of the go-to solutions for these situations is a dental filling. However, these days fillings can come in both metal and metal-free varieties; so how are you supposed to know which is best for your smile? Here’s some useful information about why dental fillings are necessary, along with some reasons you should consider a tooth-color option over a metal amalgam one.
Why Are Fillings Necessary?
Most patients won’t notice any symptoms when a cavity first develops, but while they might start small, they can quickly escalate and leave you in quite a bit of discomfort! That said, cavities should never be left to worsen due to the oral health issues they can pose—and fortunately, dental fillings are among the best ways of resolving them. When your dentist places a filling, they first remove the decayed portion of the tooth, stop the progression of the cavity, and then finally replace the dental structure with a filling. This restores your tooth’s strength and ensures it can healthily remain inside the mouth.
A Closer Look at Amalgam Fillings
Amalgam fillings, often just called metal or silver fillings, have been used in dentistry for quite some time. They’re often composed of a combination of metal alloys, including silver, gold, zinc, and sometimes mercury. This makes them remarkably strong and durable—however, it also means they’re quite noticeable since they don’t blend in with the remaining natural teeth. Another disadvantage to these fillings is that they tend to make teeth more sensitive to temperature, and due to the materials used, they can even expand or crack in some cases.
Why Are Tooth-Colored Fillings Superior?
Instead of metal, tooth-colored fillings are made from composite resin, which is a mixture of plastic and microscopic glass particles. The primary advantage these fillings hold over amalgam ones is that they can be perfectly matched with a patient’s enamel, leading to an entirely natural-looking restoration. It’s also considerably easier to shape and sculpt these fillings to blend in seamlessly with a patient’s smile. Better yet, these fillings can form a stronger bond with tooth enamel compared to amalgam, allowing your dentist to preserve more natural tooth structure during placement, as well as facilitating better adhesion between the filling and tooth.
About the Author
Dr. Gauri Patil received her dental doctorate from Boston University’s Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine and has proudly served patients and families in Dedham for several years. Her practice is excited to offer a wide range of restorative treatment options, including tooth-colored fillings. If you have any questions about the blog or you’d like to schedule a visit for you or a loved one, feel free to contact her practice through their website or by phone for additional information or assistance. Telephone: (781) 326-0235.