If you have a cavity or minor damage to your smile, then a filling is often a great way to restore a tooth. Your dentist will simply remove the affected structure and then replace it with a high-quality dental material. In the past, metal ones were often the only option, but tooth-colored versions started to become more popular. While both are effective and durable, which is better? Here’s a guide to help you decide.
Why Shouldn’t I Get a Metal Filling?
Amalgam, or metal, fillings used to be the go-to method for minor repairs in smiles. They can last for up to 15 years or longer with proper care, but there are some downsides to them, such as:
- The Way They Look: Results with this restoration are often obvious, as they are shiny and don’t blend very well against enamel. Many who have them often feel self-conscious about this fact.
- Had Mercury: This service used a combination of various metals like tin, silver, or copper, with about 50% of it being mercury. This helped create a stable structure, but the latter material is toxic to the human body in high amounts. While a single filling wouldn’t cause much trouble, it can for a certain few patients and might be better to avoid in general.
- Are Sensitive to Temperature Changes: Since this restoration is metal, it can expand and shrink when switching from hot to cold foods. This can weaken your tooth over time and cause discomfort.
What’s So Great About Tooth-Colored Fillings?
Due to the disadvantages above, tooth-colored fillings were made as a reliable alternative. These use composite resin that’s matched to blend into your smile seamlessly. They would look much more natural against your enamel and be hard to spot, so people might not even notice them. Better yet, they also don’t use any metal, so you don’t have to worry about mercury impacting your health.
This modern restoration also saves more of your tooth’s natural structure. Your dentist won’t need to remove as much of it compared to the older version, as it’s more directly bonded to your smile. The results you get can also last for up to a decade or longer; that way, you can enjoy your restored bite for years to come without any worry about how it looks.
About the Author
Dr. Raj Vekariya earned his dental degree from New York University’s College of Dentistry. He is happy to help the Canonsburg community get the stronger grins they deserve with reliable options like tooth-colored fillings. By using high-quality materials, you can trust they look and feel natural in the end. If you want to learn more about this treatment and how it can benefit you, schedule an appointment or call Dr. Raj’s office at (724) 300-3700.