Restore a Cavity With a Tooth Colored Filling

When a dental patient is suffering from a cavity, a tooth colored filling is one of the common treatment options available. These cosmetically appealing alternatives to the metal fillings used in former years have grown in popularity and are now the filling used most often in addressing cavities. Some dental patients may still have questions regarding this newer type of material, however, and want to learn why it is a good treatment choice.

Characteristics of a tooth colored filling

A tooth colored filling, also known as a composite resin filling or dental composite, is a restoration treatment that is used to repair decayed teeth. This prevalent option provides dental patients with an alternative to the amalgam, or silver-colored, type of filling, which is comprised of silver, mercury and a mixture of metals that includes tin and copper.

Materials used in the tooth colored filling

A composite filling is normally comprised of a combination of plastic and ceramic compounds that chemically bond to the surface of the teeth. Dental composites are becoming a more common choice for treating cavities because they are inconspicuous and blend in seamlessly with the tooth.

Dental Filling Procedure

When a patient has a cavity, the dentist removes the decay from the tooth with an instrument, most often a drill. Some dentists use air abrasion to remove the diseased part of the tooth to avoid drilling. This technique involves a powerful spurt of compressed air to disperse sand-like particles at the tooth and spray the decay away. After the decay is removed, the composite resin is placed in the tooth in layers and then hardened via a special light. Once the tooth is filled and the resin has hardened, the dentist shapes the composite to duplicate the natural appearance of the tooth.

Safety of dental composites

Composite resin fillings have been thoroughly researched and have been deemed as a safe and effective treatment for cavities by the FDA. There is no evidence of harmful side effects linked to dental composites.

Benefits of composite fillings

There are numerous advantages to tooth colored fillings. The main benefit is that these fillings closely match the color of the tooth enamel, giving a more realistic appearance and making them a more aesthetically pleasing option. Dental composites mimic the qualities and appearance of the tooth’s natural structure, with the result that the filling is indistinguishable from the tooth.

Composites can preserve more of the tooth’s structure and require less drilling than other types of fillings. Dental composites may help strengthen teeth due to the chemical bonding to the tooth’s structure and can be repaired if there is any damage to the filling.

Conclusion

A tooth colored filling is a treatment for cavities that looks natural and bonds to the tooth to make it stronger. It is a suitable option that requires less drilling and provides more visual appeal. The process of using dental composites for tooth filling is simple, and patients can feel relief knowing the treatment is effective and will not alter the look of their smile.

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