Tooth Colored Fillings

Woman smiling. Caption: Cavity treatment has come a long way...

If 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 must choose tooth-colored or silver. Although your wallet might sway you to side with economical silver amalgam fillings, there are compelling reasons to consider composite resin fillings.

The Downside of Amalgam Fillings

Take a good look at any cavity and you will instantly understand why it needs repair. 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 is good enough. 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.

Tooth-Colored Fillings

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 engineered to stand up to bite forces. Before the dentist applies the resin, the material is dyed carefully to match the patient’s existing teeth, so that the repair is invisible. Composite resin also mimics teeth’ natural transparency and shine, so your teeth will look completely beautiful and natural.

What To Expect

After the dentist gently numbs your mouth near the area of the damaged tooth, the dentist removes any decay and cleans the tooth. Next, the dentist dyes the composite slightly to match the tooth. The dentist then pipes the filling into place, smooths it, and hardens it with a small UV light. After the material is hard, the dentist will polish the tooth’s surface, leaving behind a dental surface that looks immaculate.

There is a reason that patients know Dental Partners of Boston 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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