Category: Tooth Filling

What are the Advantages of Tooth Colored Fillings over Traditional Silver Fillings?

Posted on by westerndental

If you’re facing the common dental dilemma of needing a filling, you might be wondering which type is the best choice for your dental health. Tooth colored fillings, also known as composite fillings, are gaining popularity for good reason in Connelly Springs.

Advantages of tooth colored fillings over traditional silver fillings

Aesthetics That Blend In

One of the most noticeable differences between tooth colored fillings and traditional silver fillings is their appearance. Tooth colored fillings are designed to match the natural shade of your teeth, making them virtually invisible when you smile. This aesthetic advantage allows you to maintain your confident grin without worrying about visible metal fillings.

Preservation of Healthy Tooth Structure

Tooth colored fillings are a more conservative option because they bond directly to the tooth structure. In contrast, silver fillings require more removal of healthy tooth material to create a mechanical lock for the filling. This means that with tooth colored fillings, you can preserve more of your natural tooth, promoting better long-term dental health.

Reduced Sensitivity to Temperature Changes

Silver fillings are known for their thermal conductivity. This means that they can expand and contract with temperature changes, potentially leading to tooth sensitivity and even fractures over time. Tooth colored fillings, on the other hand, do not conduct temperature changes as noticeably, reducing the risk of discomfort or damage to your teeth.

Minimized Allergic Reactions

Traditional silver fillings are made of a mixture that includes mercury. Some individuals may have concerns about allergic reactions or mercury toxicity, although the American Dental Association considers silver fillings safe for most people. Tooth colored fillings, being made of composite resin, are free from mercury, addressing these concerns for those who are particularly sensitive.

Stronger Bonding and Support

Tooth colored fillings have evolved significantly in recent years, becoming more durable and providing excellent support for your teeth. They bond tightly with the natural tooth structure, reducing the risk of leakage or cracking that can occur with silver fillings over time.

Versatile and Adaptable

Tooth colored fillings offer versatility in their application. They can be used not only for filling cavities but also for repairing chipped, cracked, or broken teeth. This versatility allows your dentist to address various dental issues using a single, aesthetically pleasing material.

Quick and Painless Application

The process of getting a tooth colored filling is typically quicker and less painful than getting a silver filling. With tooth colored fillings, your dentist can often complete the procedure in a single visit, saving you time and reducing the need for multiple appointments.

Longevity and Durability

Tooth colored fillings have improved significantly in terms of longevity. While silver fillings may need to be replaced more often due to wear and tear, tooth colored fillings can last for many years with proper care and maintenance.

Easy Repairs

If a tooth colored filling becomes damaged or needs repair, it’s a relatively simple process. Your dentist can easily patch or replace the filling without compromising the aesthetics or structure of your tooth.

Conclusion

Tooth colored fillings offer a multitude of advantages over traditional silver fillings. They not only provide a more natural appearance but also contribute to the long-term health and well-being of your teeth.

When considering your options for dental fillings, discuss your preferences and concerns with your dentist to make the choice that’s right for you and your smile. The benefits of tooth colored fillings may just brighten your outlook on dental care.

How often does tooth-colored filling need replacement?

Posted on by westerndental

Tooth decay is one of the most common and serious threats to oral health. While cavities can be prevented by maintaining good oral hygiene, they find ways to develop anyhow. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, around 92 percent of adults have had at least one cavity in a permanent tooth.

If you have been diagnosed with tooth decay or cavity recently, it is highly likely that you are recommended tooth-colored filling to fix the decay or cavity problem.

While tooth-colored filling provides a promising solution that lasts for a long time and helps restore the tooth functionality and your smile, you might be wondering how often you will need to replace it. Today, in this blog, we will help you find the answer to this question. So, let’s begin.

How long does my tooth filling last before requiring replacement?

A filling is used to treat decay or cavity in a tooth. A dentist first cleans the decayed material from your tooth and then fills the space with filling to stop the decay from spreading and help restore the strength of the tooth. While a filling can last for several years, it is not going to serve you infinitely. The lifespan of your tooth filling will vary depending on what type of filling you have used.

There are two types of filling based on materials used:

Metal fillings – They are traditional tooth fillings made from a mixture of metals. Also called amalgam fillings, they are highly durable and effective. One can expect an amalgam filling to last for about 15 years before replacement. However, the length of time they work effectively is also influenced by other factors, such as whether you have the habit of clenching/grinding your teeth or not.

Tooth-colored fillings – Also known as composite fillings, tooth-colored fillings are made from a mixture of plastic, silica, and fine glass particles. These fillings are designed to match the color of your natural enamel so that these fillings blend perfectly and don’t get noticed when you smile. Even if they aren’t made of metal, they are highly durable and can last for more than a decade.

Why should you replace tooth filling once their lifespan is over?

You might need to replace your tooth filling over time due to several reasons. The most common reason is that fillings get worn and torn over time and hence, remain no longer as effective and stronger as they should be.

When you chew, a great amount of pressure is exerted on the tooth filling. Therefore, over time when fillings become fragile, they become more exposed to crack, leak, or fall out.

When your affected tooth is no longer protected by filling, it becomes more vulnerable to bacterial growth and decay. Hence, you will need a new tooth filling to protect your tooth.

How do I know that my tooth filling needs replacement?

When the integrity of your tooth filling is compromised anyhow, you might start experiencing the issue of tooth sensitivity or pain. When that happens, you should contact your dentist right away.

Are you suffering from tooth decay? Do you need your old filling to be replaced? Contact us for tooth-colored filling in Rutherford College, Valdese, and Connelly Springs.

Why Should You Choose Tooth-Colored Filling Over Metal Filling?

Posted on by westerndental

Once in a lifetime, almost everyone suffers from tooth decay. It’s one of the common dental problems, which leads to many other problems if not treated properly on time. Cavities happen due to harmful bacteria attacks. The bacteria release acid that slowly destroys the tooth enamel, causing a hole in the tooth.

Many dental treatments are available for tooth decay but the simplest option is tooth filling. In this, the dentist drills and removes the decayed parts from a tooth and fills the space with a substance like silver, gold, or composite resin.

Based on the substance used, the treatment is categorized into metal fillings and tooth-colored filling. And shockingly, there is a huge fight between these two options. There are lots of things that people say about these treatments. Some prefer the former option, while some prefer the latter option. But according to us, a tooth-colored filling is better than a metal filling. We will tell you why?

Before we give the reasons, here is a brief about metal and tooth-colored fillings.

Tooth-colored filling 

The tooth-colored filling is more natural-looking and less noticeable. It is usually preferred by patients when receiving routine dental care for decay towards the front of the mouth. Sometimes, they prefer tooth-colored filling on back teeth if the decay isn’t too severe.

The materials used for tooth-colored filling are porcelain/ceramic, composite resin, or glass ionomer.

Metal filling 

Unlike a tooth-colored filling, the metal filling isn’t natural-looking. Also, it is visible to others. Traditionally, the metal fillings were made from amalgam. The common amalgam was the combination of silver, tin, copper, mercury, and zinc. Today, individual metals are used in fire fillings such as gold and silver.

The metals used for fillings are durable and considered safe by the FDA.

Reasons to choose tooth-colored filling over the metal filling 

Dentists don’t need to remove much of your tooth’s structure 

The tooth-colored fillings are so securely bonded during the tooth filling process that dentists don’t have to remove much of the natural tooth when placing the filling. On the other hand, dentists have to create a secure pocket for a metal tooth filling to ensure it stays in place. It means they have to remove lots of natural teeth for filling.

Are repairable 

If there is a minor structural issue with a tooth-colored filling, a skilled dentist will only have to remove and replace the damaged part. Talking about metal fillings, repairing them is impossible. Even if there is a crack or hole in the metal filling, the dentists have to replace the whole filling.

Are aesthetically pleasing

As already mentioned, the tooth-colored filling is virtually invisible and natural-looking. It’s because the filling is shaded to adequately match the color of the teeth. So, a tooth-colored filling is aesthetically pleasing. On the other hand, it’s impossible to match the color of metal filling to the tooth’s unique color.

Now you very well know why the tooth-colored filling is better than a metal filling. So, choose wisely.

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