Tooth-colored fillings, also known as white fillings, consist of composite resins. These are durable fillings that resist fractures. White fillings can withstand considerable pressure as you chew hard, sticky or otherwise difficult-to-eat foods.
We can use tooth-colored fillings on the back or front teeth. If you are looking for a filling that looks completely natural, this is an effective and natural-looking option.
Tooth-colored fillings have become more popular than amalgam and gold fillings mainly because of their aesthetics. White fillings look better than other types of fillings. If you are looking to maintain or achieve a bright and white smile you are proud to put on display, you need white fillings. A white filling will blend right in with the rest of the teeth.
This visual appeal is by far the most important quality of white fillings. No one will have any idea there is a filling unless they are within a couple inches of the mouth. Dentists typically recommend tooth-colored fillings when the decay or damage along the surface of the tooth is fairly minor. Fillings restore teeth to optimal condition and further combat decay/damage.
We bond tooth-colored fillings right to the structure of the tooth. This allows for an integration with the tooth, sealing the gap between the filling and tooth and bolstering the root's strength. Such integration permits a wide array of uses of resin aside from regular fillings. White fillings have become so popular that some patients replace all of their amalgam fillings with white fillings for a uniform appearance across all teeth.
The dentist starts out by removing the decayed, infected or debris-laden portions of the tooth. We will help to guard the tooth in question against moisture to guarantee a strong connection with the white filling. We then place the composite dental resin on the affected area and hold it in place with strong adhesives.
The composite resin is shaped and hardened with an intense dental light. Once the filling is in place, the tooth looks natural and functions just like a regular tooth. You can clean and treat the newly-filled tooth just like the other teeth in your mouth.
While these fillings are durable, they will not last forever. In general, amalgam fillings tend to last longer than white fillings. Furthermore, composite fillings are more expensive than the amalgam variety. Finally, it usually takes longer to position a composite filling than a metal filling. This is due to the fact that composite fillings require a dry and clean tooth as we fill the cavity.
However, these slight drawbacks are minor in nature. When you compare the positives and negatives of white fillings and the amalgam variety, it is clear the composite variety is the better choice. Consult with your dentist to determine if you need a filling and if tooth-colored fillings are ideal for your mouth.
Call (951) 707-4366 to schedule an appointment with Hemet Dental Center: Brian Stiewel DDS, INC. in our Hemet dental office.
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