One of the most commonly known dental procedures is getting a filling. Even kids understand that if you have a cavity, the dentist will suggest a dental filling. However, what you may not know is that dental fillings have come a long way in past decades. While amalgam (or silver) fillings were once the go-to choice in repairing minor tooth damage, there is a better, more preferred alternative in today’s modern dentistry menu. Tooth-colored fillings, also called composite resin, are now considered a top-ranked solution – in terms of both aesthetics and function.
Composite resin fillings are composed of a silicon dioxide-filled, tooth-colored plastic mixture, which is a complicated way of affirming that your tooth will be restored back to its natural and healthy state. Compared to traditional silver fillings, composite resin offers several advantages:
Natural Blend – Composite resin is not made of metal. It is a tooth-colored material that can be mixed to create the exact shade of your natural tooth and surrounding teeth.
Supports Tooth Structure – Composite resin also carries the ability to support or strengthen the remaining tooth structure. It can help you avoid further breakage and insulates the tooth against sensitive temperature changes.
Long-lasting Solution – Small and medium composite fillings are known to last 7 to 10 years, which is just as long as past amalgam fillings.
Conservative Approach – Composite resin is placed in layers and involves a method that allows your dentist to preserve more of your healthy tooth structure than amalgam fillings.
Source: Composite Fillings Benefits, Drawbacks, Procedure, Pictures (healthline.com)
At Modern Family Dentistry, we believe in offering dental treatments that are not only conservative but also provide the most preferred results for our patients. Tooth-colored fillings can restore your dental health, without making you sacrifice the appearance of your smile. To learn more about the benefits of tooth-colored fillings, please call our Chesapeake office today.
Posted on behalf of Modern Family Dentistry