Given the fact that cavities affect almost everyone at least once in their lives, it’s no surprise that tooth fillings are one of the most common restorative dental procedures. Designed specifically to restore teeth affected by cavities and help them recover from the decay that causes them, modern tooth fillings can be an essential part of helping many people preserve their healthy smiles. However, for many people who experience cavities, the advantages that modern tooth fillings offer can sometimes be a surprise. From their more lifelike appearance to their more successful restorative benefits, today’s tooth fillings can help make cavities much less of a concern.
They can look like natural tooth structure
Traditional tooth fillings have long been crafted from metal amalgam, which is a mixture of various metals that’s able to successfully withstand all of your bite’s pressure. Because of this, many patients are surprised to learn that their tooth fillings may be crafted from a more natural-looking and discreet material, such as composite resin. Made from finely ground acrylic and quartz-like particles, the biocompatible composite resin is customizable in its appearance. This means it can be tinted to match the specific color and shade of your healthy tooth structure, allowing it to blend in almost seamlessly with your smile’s overall appearance.
They can help you avoid root canal treatment
The reason why tooth fillings are so common recommended is because cavities are most often treated in their mild or moderate stages. However, the tooth decay that causes a cavity to form in your tooth is progressive, and in some cases, it might not be addressed early enough for a tooth filling to successfully treat it. If the decay affects more than just the main part of your tooth’s structure, then the nerves and blood vessels may become compromised, making root canal treatment necessary to save the tooth. With a modern tooth filling, you can have a better chance of saving your tooth from needing more extensive treatment for more severe decay in the future.
They can be used for cosmetic tooth improvement
When tooth fillings are designed to be tooth-colored, the composite resin used to create them offers a few specific advantages for your tooth structure. This includes its more lifelike appearance as well as its ability to bond securely to nearly any part of your natural tooth structure. These same abilities make the resin an ideal solution for addressing some types of cosmetic tooth blemishes, as well. In addition to improving the appearance of a tooth after a cavity has affected it, the tooth-colored resin may also be bonded to outer areas of the tooth to improve concerns such as severe discoloration, chipped edges, worn down tooth structure, and more.
Learn more about modern tooth fillings
Today’s modern tooth fillings can be designed to treat your cavity with surprisingly lifelike results. To learn more, schedule an appointment by calling Creekside Family Dental Care in Columbia, TN, today at (931) 388–3384.