Finding out that you have a cavity isn’t a good thing, but finding it before it becomes severe is. In most cases, early detection means more conservative treatment, and in the case of a cavity, that typically means cleaning and filling the hole in your tooth with a tooth-colored filling. While fillings may be common, you may not know what to expect if you’ve never had one before. For example, while it’s natural to think that your filling has to be made from metal, we may be able to design a more discreet, tooth-colored one that doesn’t contain any metal at all.
The composite resin looks like your tooth
The reason metal-free fillings are called tooth-colored fillings is because the composite resin that they’re made from is customized to match the appearance of your tooth. That includes matching the specific color and shade of the healthy, natural tooth structure surrounding the filling, which allows your restoration to blend in with the rest of your smile and remain virtually unnoticeable. If you’ve been hesitating to treat a cavity because you’ve wanted to avoid having a metal filling placed in your tooth, then the fact that don’t contain any could be the biggest advantage to tooth-colored fillings.
You can replace an old metal filling with it
If you currently have a metal filling and believe that you’re stuck with it no matter what, then another great fact about tooth-colored fillings is that your dentist may be able to replace yours with one. Dentists often recommend doing so for several reasons, such as metal’s tendency to change shape over time (even after being placed within your tooth’s cavity). Because tooth-colored fillings don’t contain metal, they aren’t subject to the same risk, which makes them a safer long-term option for restoring your tooth.
It can save your tooth from trouble down the road
When you treat a cavity or replace a metal filling with a tooth-colored composite resin one, the filling’s more natural appearance and ability to retain its shape make for a much more conservative treatment. It also helps reduce many of the risks that your tooth can face after being treated for a cavity, including damage caused by metal fillings and/or the reinfection of the tooth due to exposure to oral bacteria. The seal created by the filling when it’s bonded to your tooth’s structure offers a highly effective barrier against the bacteria that cause tooth decay.
Learn more about metal-free tooth fillings
Today’s tooth fillings often don’t contain metal, which makes for a more discreet and natural-looking solution for treating your cavity. To learn more, schedule an appointment by calling Creekside Family Dental Care in Columbia, TN, today at (931) 388–3384.