With advancements in dental materials, cavity fillings have come a long way. It used to be commonplace for dentists to use amalgam fillings to treat teeth affected by decay or cavities. Today, more and more people opt for tooth-colored fillings.
What Are Tooth-Colored Fillings?
Tooth-colored fillings are a composite resin that typically contains a ceramic & plastic compound. We apply this material to the prepared tooth, then cure it with a special light to harden it into place, completing the restoration.
It’s not hard to see why people choose tooth-colored fillings. They are much less noticeable than traditional “metal” fillings, blending with the natural tooth surface. Indeed, someone may have an entire mouth full of fillings, and you would never know the difference!
What Are Amalgams?
Amalgams are a mixture (amalgamation) of materials, including mercury, silver, tin, zinc, and other trace metals. In its pure elemental form, mercury is toxic to humans. Although it isn’t clear whether or not the mercury in amalgam fillings causes health problems, it is understandable for people to worry about the risk. For this reason (as well as the aesthetics), mercury fillings have very much fallen out of favor. Many choose to remove old amalgam fillings, whether for health purposes or just to brighten the appearance of their smile.
So, if you lose a filling, or know that you need treatment for a cavity, or are just interested in replacing old amalgam fillings, please contact us today to schedule an appointment. We’ll be happy to explain the process and how we keep you safe!
