Cavities. Most of us have had at least one or two at some point. There was a time when that conspicuous silver filling was a sign someone had a cavity. Fortunately, dentists today have other options to fill tooth decay and they aren’t obvious at all. Composite resin fillings, commonly referred to as “white” fillings, are becoming a more standard option in restorative care because of their benefits. Repairing cavities, no longer means a mouth full of sparkling silver teeth.
Amalgam Metallic Alloy Fillings
Commonly referred to as “silver fillings”, amalgam fillings have been tested and proven to be a quality material to be used by dentist for more than a century. It continues to be utilized today. However, amalgam has its downsides:
- Will discolor after some time causing darkening to your teeth
- Doesn’t bond with tooth tissue, meaning the dentist will need to remove more of the tooth in order to ensure proper adhesion
- Poorly responds to temperature fluctuations causing teeth sensitivity
- They may expand over time, which can lead to fractured teeth
Composite Resin Fillings
In the past, white composite fillings were viewed as less durable. However, this is not considered true anymore. Composite fillings have demonstrated to have longevity and strength. Regardless of how many cavities you have, they can be repaired and your tooth damage covered with composite fillings so you can keep your beautiful smile. Here are some advantages of composite fillings:
- They resemble your teeth because of their natural
- The doctor removes less of the original tooth structure, so less drilling is required for the procedure
- It bonds directly to the tooth, preventing future breaks
- Causes less sensitivity to temperature changes
Composite fillings tend to be your best choice for aesthetic reasons. However, there are times they may not be the best decision. Your dentist might prescribe an amalgam filling because of the location or size of the tooth decay. Call our office today at (312) 943-6444 or visit us online so we can discuss your dental needs!
Sincerely,
Dr. Ramy Bahu
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