Riveting Repairs: 4 Benefits of Tooth-Colored Fillings

In the past, the tried-and-true way to fix cavities was with amalgam fillings. This traditional technique utilizes combinations of metals like silver, zinc, copper, and mercury to restore functionality. Since then, advancements in dental technology and materials led to the development of tooth-colored fillings, instead. Your dentist can customize composite resin to match the hue of your smile so that it’s virtually unnoticeable.

This more current method has become the new standard for good reasons. If you’re not sure why you should opt for a tooth-colored repair instead of a metal one, keep reading to learn about 4 of the advantages they provide!

Benefit #1: Aesthetically Pleasing

One of the main reasons to choose tooth-colored fillings is that you can enhance your appearance. In previous decades, restorations were made from metal which left many patients feeling self-conscious about how they looked. The dark, shiny material easily catches sunlight and visibly stands out. Someone could tell the condition of your teeth and whether you had any cavities just by looking.

Tooth-colored fillings are much less conspicuous because they’re customized to be the same color as your pearly whites. No one will notice your dental work when you open your mouth to eat, speak, or laugh.

Benefit #2: Tooth Preservation

Did you know that tooth-colored fillings require less preparation than amalgam ones? The composite resin adheres to the structure of your pearly white to provide additional support. Metallic materials, on the other hand, require “undercuts” to stay put because they don’t bond the same way. That means more of the structure is compromised and your tooth is naturally weaker as a result.

Benefit #3: Non-toxic Materials

If you get an amalgam filling, there’s a good chance it will contain mercury which is dangerous for humans to touch, consume, or inhale. When used for oral repairs, you’re constantly exposed to trace amounts of this element as it releases into the air you inhale and the saliva you swallow. Composite resin is made from non-toxic acrylic and powdered glass which aren’t harmful to your body.

Benefit #4: Temperature Consistency

Metal is an excellent temperature conductor which can be helpful in many circumstances, but probably not as a filling. It carries hot and cold quite easily and will expand and contract accordingly. When it’s used for dental work, this frequent shifting can eventually erode your pearly white from the inside out. Not only that, but you might develop sensitivity if extreme temperatures are carried down into the roots. Resin restorations are more consistent and resist temperature changes.

Now that you understand more about these two methods, it’s easy to see why tooth-colored fillings have become the preferred choice to mend damaged teeth!

About the Author

Dr. Proshat Shahrestany has been providing families with a full range of services under one roof since 2012. She attended the University of California, Irvine for her undergraduate education and then completed her doctorate at UCLA School of Dentistry. Today, she participates in ongoing training to hone her skills and abilities in a wide variety of specialties to stay current with the latest advancements. With state-of-the-art technology, she can provide accurate and long-lasting treatments to meet your unique dental needs. Plus, she takes special care to properly dispose of mercury amalgam materials after they’ve been replaced with composite resin to ensure patients and staff aren’t exposed. If you’d like a tooth-colored filling, you’re welcome to request an appointment on the website or by calling (818) 760-0200.