It used to be that when you needed to repair a tooth with decay or cavities, your dentist would remove the damaged enamel and restore it with an amalgam metal filling. However, although these were strong and long-lasting, aesthetically speaking, they left a lot to be desired. Worse yet, recent studies have revealed that they could actually be harming the very teeth they were designed to protect, and potentially subjecting patients to elevated levels of mercury in their bloodstream. Thankfully, today’s durable, beautiful tooth-colored fillings are the restoration of choice in most dental practices. Here are five reasons why composite resin is so popular, and why you should consider replacing your old metal fillings with it!
They’re Less Invasive
Because composite resin fillings don’t require your dentist to remove as much healthy enamel as they would with amalgam metal, they are considered far less invasive. In fact, not only does this mean you’ll get to preserve more of your natural teeth with tooth-colored fillings, but they will ensure they stay stronger, longer.
They Allow You to Eat More
Tooth colored fillings are as strong as they are beautiful, meaning you can use them to enjoy a wide range of foods without restriction. While you should still be careful to avoid anything too hard or crunchy, if you stick to actual food and don’t use them as tools, they could potentially provide full chewing capabilities for 10 or more years!
They Reduce Your Risk of Infection & Decay
Composite resin fillings were designed to restore areas where damaged or decayed enamel were removed from the teeth. By eliminating these weak spots within the arch, your dentist will reduce your risk of dental infection spreading to nearby teeth and throughout the body. Thus, by your restorations repairing your teeth, they are protecting not just the injured ones, but any healthy ones in proximity, too!
They Look and Feel Realistic
Because composite resin can be matched to the exact shade of your enamel, tooth-colored fillings both look and feel realistic. In fact, they blend in so seamlessly with the rest of your smile that many people eventually forget which teeth received them!
They’re Metal Free
Whether you have metal allergies, or you’re simply concerned about the amount of mercury in your mouth, tooth-colored fillings have the added bonus of being metal-free, making them potentially safer than their amalgam predecessors. Furthermore, because composite resin can’t expand and contract like metal, they provide greater against enamel damage that could leave your smile vulnerable to painful sensitivity when you eat or drink anything too hot or cold.
Remember, repairing your teeth doesn’t have to mean putting them at an increased risk of sensitivity, or using noticeable restorations that could cause additional damage to your enamel. To learn more about how beautiful, long-lasting composite resin fillings can restore your smile safely and effectively for years to come, talk to your dentist about tooth-colored fillings today!
About Our Practice
At Ponte Vedra Family Dentistry, Dr. Perry and Dr. De Bonis want you to have a healthy, beautiful smile. Whether you have older amalgam metal restorations that you’d like to upgrade, or you’d like to restore a new tooth with a discreet, long-lasting composite resin filling, we can help! To learn more about tooth-colored fillings schedule a consultation to get started by visiting our website or calling 904-280-1200.