In years past, the material most commonly used for fillings was metal amalgam. Over time though, more and more people are also considering the aesthetics of these fillings, leading to the growth in popularity of tooth coloured fillings. These types of fillings are made of a durable composite resin that is customised by your cosmetic dentist to match the shade of your natural teeth. The result is a filling that is virtually impossible to detect, hence restoring the aesthetics of your teeth. The following are some of the reasons why tooth coloured fillings would be ideal for you.
Tooth coloured fillings are long lasting
One of the main advantages of tooth coloured fillings is that they are extremely durable. By carrying out the proper maintenance procedures, you can be assured that your fillings will serve you for a significant time to come. In addition to this, it is recommended to set regular dental appointments so that the dentist may spot any signs of wear and tear as they occur. This will ensure they are caught in time and remedied before they can affect the entire filling.
More of your tooth structure is salvaged
With metal fillings, the cosmetic dentist will have to remove a significant amount of your tooth's structure. This is to ensure there is significant room for the silver amalgam that will be inserted into the tooth. The composite resin of tooth coloured fillings is malleable. Therefore, all the dentist needs to do is insert it and mould it into the exposed parts of the tooth that were extracted due to the infection. If the infected parts are minimal, you can rest assured that there will be a significant amount of your natural tooth remaining to provide support and maintain the overall structure of your tooth.
Tooth coloured fillings do not react to temperature changes
One of the disadvantages of metal fillings is that they conduct heat. As such, when your mouth experiences temperature changes from the beverages and foods you ingest, the metal fillings have a propensity of expanding and contracting. This perpetual expansion and contraction will eventually play a toll on the fillings and they may need to become replaced over time. The expansion and contraction of the metal can also make the affected teeth weak and this makes them susceptible to injury. Since tooth coloured fillings are made from a composite resin, they are non-reactive to the temperature changes. This makes them a more suitable alternative when it comes to the preservation of your teeth's inherent strength.
Share18 May 2016
I have worked as a school nurse for decades. Children come to me with all sorts of scrapes and bumps and bruises. Black eyes from playing football, sprained wrists from falling off the monkey bars and stomachaches from too many sweets are common complaints. However, the issue that seems to cause the greatest angst is tooth problems. Sometimes a child will have a second tooth knocked out when playing sport and parents arrive in tears. At other times, children come to my office crying because their friends are teasing them about teeth that are discoloured or stick out. I take an active interest in the latest dental news so that I can give parents and children comfort and advice. I have included some of my collected wisdom on these pages. Perhaps this information can help you understand some options when faced with a dental problem. Thank you for reading.