Dental Fillings and Restorations Weymouth MA
In the past, patients had fewer choices when it came to dental fillings and restorations. In today’s world, you have more treatment choices than ever before. One of these comes down to whether you want traditional silver fillings, also called amalgam fillings, or tooth-colored ones.
Disadvantages of Silver Fillings
Although traditional silver amalgam fillings are safe and effective, they can really stand out, making them less desirable for teeth that are more noticeable.
Larger amalgam fillings can cause tooth enamel to appear gray over time. They also require removal of more tooth structure.
Advantages of Tooth-Colored Restorations
The main advantage of tooth-colored restorations and fillings is that they closely blend in with surrounding teeth. In fact, if you undergo a tooth-colored restoration, it is not likely that anyone will be able to detect it.
Types of Tooth-Colored Fillings
Here are a few types of available tooth-colored fillings:
Composite Fillings
Sometimes called composite resin, this is the most popular type of tooth-colored filling. The material is a mixture of resin with a quartz or glass filler to achieve a white color.
Although composite resin fillings are fairly sturdy, the are not as strong as amalgam and are more commonly used for filling small to medium cavities.
Porcelain Fillings
Most people find that porcelain more closely matches the color of natural teeth than any other type of filling or restoration. One drawback is that they are also more expensive than composite.
Inlays and Onlays
Like dental crowns, inlays and onlays are created in a dental lab to be cemented onto teeth. Inlays are used when only a small part of the tooth needs restoring, while onlays cover the entire chewing surface.
Inlays and onlays typically require two dental visits for placement.
Resin or Glass Ionomers
Ionomers are made from a translucent material like glass, acrylic, or sometimes resin. Since they are more susceptible to fracture, they are typically used for filling small areas that experience less stress, like near a tooth root or in between teeth.
Replacing Silver Fillings With a Tooth-Colored Restoration
Recently, many dentists have been moving away from using traditional silver fillings and using tooth-colored ones instead. Some patients also like to have their old fillings removed and replaced with tooth-colored fillings. This is commonly done when amalgam fillings already need replacing.
One thing to consider before replacing your silver fillings with a tooth-colored restoration is that it can sometimes cause temporary tooth sensitivity. The larger your traditional fillings, the greater your risk of experiencing tooth sensitivity. Fortunately, this tooth sensitivity is normally temporary and resolves itself within a few weeks.
What To Expect
Receiving a tooth-colored filling typically takes about an hour, depending upon the number of fillings required. Your dentist would first numb your gums around the tooth so that you are comfortable during the procedure.
If the tooth is decayed, your dentist will remove the decay and clean the tooth. They will then reshape the inner part of the tooth to make room for your new filling.