Do you have old silver fillings and
find yourself feeling a bit envious of the millennials who appear to have no
metal in their mouths? Today, cavities are most often filled with composite
resin, which is the same color as the tooth it is bonded to. Those who had
their cavities filled back in the 90’s and the decades prior most likely have
amalgam, also known as silver fillings.
Silver fillings do not seal the
tooth, they leak trace amounts of mercury vapor, and are not aesthetically
pleasing. White composite resin fillings by comparison are safer for the
individual, better for the tooth to which it’s bonded, and are virtually
unnoticeable to the untrained eye. Because composite fillings are bonded with the
tooth, they actually make the tooth itself stronger. On the other hand, metal
used in amalgam fillings corrodes over time causing it to expand and contract,
and over the years this can cause fractures in the tooth. A broken tooth
is not only painful but often requires a root canal or a dental implant if the
tooth is lost. Both procedures are far more costly than replacing old silver
fillings.
At Allen Dental, we use composite
resin fillings when correcting cavities. Composite resin filling is the most
conservative restorative option for a decayed or broken tooth in dentistry
today. The composite resin filling material is available in many shades to
match the color of the tooth that it will be placed in. Using a white filling
material is not just about aesthetics; it is also about conserving your tooth
structure. When a tooth has decay present and needs to be fixed, a white
filling only requires the removal of the diseased tooth structure (the cavity).
In contrast, when using silver fillings, healthy enamel and dentin is removed.
At Allen Dental, we know it’s not a question of if, but when old silver fillings will fail and cause further decay and damage to your teeth. Protect your investment by replacing your old silver fillings with white fillings for a healthier, long lasting beautiful smile!
