Fillings are used in dentistry, most commonly for correcting tooth decay and cavities. Most patients prefer white, tooth-colored fillings instead of traditional silver fillings because they look less noticeable and blend in with the rest of the teeth. Natural colored fillings are also called “composite fillings.” The goal of using tooth-colored fillings is to create the most natural results possible.
There are also additional benefits to using tooth-colored fillings instead of silver. The material used for tooth-colored fillings bonds directly to the teeth while silver does not. For silver fillings, some of the natural, healthy teeth are often removed to help hold the filling in place. On the other hand, composite fillings allow the dentist only to remove the decaying part of the tooth. This helps to preserve the healthy tooth as much as possible. AK Dentistry offers tooth-colored fillings in Houston, TX, at our dental office. If you need a dentist near you, give us a call for a cleaning and consultation.
The main reason why most people prefer tooth-colored fillings is that they are more aesthetically pleasing than the alternatives. They are made to replicate the exact color for a seamless appearance that is very unnoticeable. If the tooth-colored filling is done right then, you will not be able to tell it is there. Old silver fillings can be removed and replaced with tooth-colored fillings near you by our dentist in Houston, TX, for a more beautiful smile.
One of the downsides to traditional silver fillings is that the silver metal does not naturally bond with the natural teeth. This requires the dentist to drill into the healthy tooth to stabilize the filling. Composite fillings are able to bond directly with the healthy tooth. This way, only the decaying portion of the tooth needs to be removed. With composite tooth-colored fillings, the visits are often fewer and less lengthy, although this can depend on the severity of the cavity.
In addition to being better looking, composite fillings are also safer than silver fillings because silver fillings use mercury and can contain toxic chemicals. It requires an expert dentist to safely remove and replace old fillings, which is why you should trust the experts at AK Dentistry with performing all of your dental fillings and procedures.