Tooth Colored Fillings

white-fillingsIf you have developed a cavity recently, know that you aren’t alone. 92% of adults over the age of 20 have had cavities in their permanent teeth, making fillings one of the most common and necessary dental restorations available. However, when you make an appointment to get that cavity removed, you will be faced with an interesting question: tooth-colored or silver? Although your wallet might sway you to side with those economical silver amalgam fillings, there are some very compelling reasons to consider modern composite resin fillings.

The Downside of Amalgam Fillings

Take a good look at any cavity and you will instantly understand why it needs to be addressed. That unsightly, gaping hole can let bacteria and food particles into your tooth, where it can spark a painful infection. However, those amalgam fillings might leave you wondering if the repair has actually been made. Amalgam fillings can look silver at first and then slowly get darker as the area oxidizes, leaving you with a smile that looks peppered with untreated cavities. Amalgam fillings are even more of a problem with a patient presents with cavities in the highly visible portions of their teeth, such as on the surface of front incisors. Fortunately, tooth-colored, composite resin fillings can make that cavity look like it never existed.

Overview

Tooth colored fillings are made up of a manmade composite resin. This material is a mix of ground bits of porcelain combined with a durable binder that is engineered to stand up to bite forces. Before the dentist applies the resin, the material can be dyed carefully to match the patient’s existing teeth, so that the repair is invisible. Composite resin also mimics the natural transparency and shine of teeth, so your teeth will look completely beautiful and natural.

What To Expect

Before your tooth-colored filling can be placed, the decay needs to be removed, just like repairing any other cavity. After your Boston dentist gently numbs the section of your mouth that will be worked on, we’ll remove the decay and clean the tooth. Next, the composite is dyed slightly to match the tooth, and then it is piped into place, smoothed, and hardened with a small UV light. After the material is hard, the dentist will polish the surface of the tooth, leaving behind a dental surface that looks untouched and immaculate.

There is a reason that the Dental Partners of Boston are known as some of the best dentists in Boston. If you suspect that you have a cavity, make an appointment with one of our professionals today for a consultation.

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