Why Patients are Choosing Dentists Who Offer Tooth-Colored Composite Fillings
If you have a tooth that requires a cavity and it has been many years since you have been in this situation, there is a chance your last filling was an older metal amalgam filling. Modern dentistry has pivoted from this older type of filling and transitioned to tooth-colored composite resin fillings. Composite resin fillings offered by Dr. Troy Schmedding at Family Dentistry of Walnut Creek in Walnut Creek, California, provide several advantages over older metal amalgam fillings.
The Benefits of Composite Fillings
Composite fillings have become very popular in recent years. This filling material consists of acrylic resin reinforced with either silica, powdered glass quartz, or other ceramic particles and provides strength and durability when chewing. The materials used in composite resin fillings allow it to be customized to closely match the shade of your natural teeth. This ensures a seamless appearance that an older silver amalgam filling cannot match.
One of the biggest advantages of a composite filling lies in how much tooth needs to be removed for placement. With amalgam fillings, more tooth material had to be removed for the cavity to be filled. Composite fillings require much less tooth material to be removed.
Another great benefit of composite resin fillings is how the material bonds to your tooth. When a composite filling is placed, the material forms a chemical bond to the adjacent tooth enamel. This provides strength to the tooth and allows for a stronger hold with the composite resin.
Why Dentists Have Moved Away From Amalgam
So far, we have gone over some of the great benefits composite resin fillings offer. But why did dentists start to move away from metal amalgam in the first place? While metal amalgam was very popular for many years, several troubling characteristics began to be realized, which caused this shift.
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Amalgam fillings contain mercury. While the effect of mercury in these fillings is still being debated, what is not up for debate is that mercury is toxic to humans. Composite resin provides a non-mercury containing alternative, so why would anybody want mercury containing amalgam?
Other drawbacks of amalgam include its sensitivity to heat and cold temps, causing the filling to expand and contract. They require more tooth to be removed before the filling can be placed and can cause your tooth to take a grayish shade over time.
If you are interested in learning more about tooth-colored fillings, don’t hesitate to get in touch with Dr. Troy Schmedding today by calling (925) 956-4266.
