If you had your choice, you’d probably opt to never need a filling in the first place. However, if you’re getting one soon, you do have an important decision to make: should you get a tooth-colored or an amalgam filling?
Amalgam fillings are made of metal, usually silver or gold, while tooth-colored fillings are constructed of composite resin colored to match your teeth. Tooth-colored fillings represent the latest in dental technology, and they have many benefits when compared to their amalgam counterparts. Here are just a few of them.
Less Noticeable
The first is also the most obvious; silver or gold fillings will contrast with your tooth, while tooth-colored composite will blend right in. Moreover, amalgam fillings can often spread stains to the rest of your tooth, discoloring it further.
Need to Remove Less of Your Tooth
The metals used in amalgam fillings are often chosen for their durability, not their compatibility with the tooth. Your dentist will often have to take off more enamel than they would otherwise because they have to create a stable base for the filling. Composite, however, can actually fuse to the tooth itself, so dentists will have to remove less of it to prepare the area.
Less Temperature Sensitive
Metal naturally expands or contracts with temperature, and when that happens with the filling in your mouth it can be a little uncomfortable. Tooth-colored composite changes less with temperature, so it doesn’t have this problem.
Easier to Sculpt
Tooth-colored composite is a little bit more malleable than amalgam. That being the case, it can be sculpted to match your natural tooth to a much greater extent than amalgam can. Add to that the fact that the composite will match the color of your teeth, and there’s no contest with amalgam when it comes to appearance.
No Allergies
This issue won’t apply to everyone, but some people can be allergic to the metals that make up an amalgam filling. What’s worse, most people aren’t even aware of their allergies before they get the treatment. Tooth-colored fillings have never been associated with any such reactions, so that’s one less thing to worry about.
About the Author
At Avion Dental and Orthodontics, we know that some people dread seeing their dentist. That’s why we’ve taken care to make our office somewhere that people will be excited to go! We’ve outfitted it with a wide variety of arcade games, so while your wait won’t be long, we’ll make it as enjoyable as possible!
If you have any questions about fillings, we can be reached at our website or by phone at (972) 807-9887.