The Many Benefits of Tooth-colored Fillings By Stephen Dowell, DDS on July 20, 2017

For many decades, conspicuous silver amalgam fillings were the strongest, most durable choice when it came to restoring teeth that were affected by chips and minor cavities. Even when tooth-colored fillings became available, they originally offered an aesthetically superior alternative, but could not match their metal counterparts in terms of strength and ability to withstand the pressures of biting and chewing. Fortunately, things have changed. Among the many exceptional dental procedures available at Dowell Dental Group are tooth-colored fillings that are as resilient and hard-wearing as silver amalgam fillings, yet remarkably natural looking.

While the aesthetic appeal of tooth-colored fillings is an obvious benefit, this excellent treatment option offers a variety of other advantages that might not be so immediately evident. This is why Dr. Stephen C. Dowell, Dr. Byron Rossi, and Dr. Somonkul Tum discuss the benefits of tooth-colored fillings in detail during consultations with patients at our Minerva, OH cosmetic, restorative, and general dentistry practice. They want our patients to understand precisely why we have chosen the technologies, techniques, and procedures we feature at Dowell Dental Group.

With tooth-colored fillings, you don’t have to worry about compromising your smile to restore health and function to your mouth. To find out whether you are a good candidate for tooth-colored fillings, please schedule your initial consultation with one of our esteemed dentists at Dowell Dental Group today.

What Benefits Do Tooth-colored Fillings Have to Offer?

In addition to being cosmetically superior to metal fillings, tooth-colored fillings are:

• Extremely strong and durable: Modern tooth-colored fillings are composed of a high-quality composite resin that, when it hardens, is every bit as strong and durable as metal. It can withstand the everyday pressures of biting and chewing for years, just as silver amalgam can. In some cases, tooth-colored fillings have proven to outlast traditional metal fillings, even when used to treat the back teeth, where silver amalgam fillings were once preferred for their strength and durability. With proper oral hygiene and routine dental visits, tooth-colored fillings can last for a decade or even longer.
• Stable when exposed to extreme temperatures: Metal fillings tend to expand and contract when exposed to hot and cold temperatures, respectively. This increases the risk that they will become fractured or dislodged. While tooth-colored fillings will also expand and contract when exposed to hot and cold temperatures, they do so to a lesser degree, and are therefore far less likely to become damaged.
• Mercury free: Although the trace amounts of mercury found in silver amalgam fillings has never proven to be dangerous, it cannot be disputed that mercury is a toxic substance. Tooth-colored fillings are completely mercury free. If you prefer not to have mercury placed in your mouth, then tooth-colored fillings are the ideal option for you.

Learn More about the Benefits of Tooth-colored Fillings

To learn more about the benefits of tooth-colored fillings, please contact our cosmetic, restorative, and general dentistry practice today. We would be glad to assist you in any way we can.