Tooth Fillings
Mercerville Family Dental – Hamilton Township NJ
Resin/Tooth-Colored Dental Fillings
Composite resin dental fillings were created as an alternative to amalgam fillings and have been used in dentistry since the 1960s. They are made of a dental resin plastic material and are made to look like the natural enamel of our teeth.
Tooth-Colored Restoration Benefits
In addition to looking more natural and aesthetic, tooth colored fillings have other benefits to the patient.
When there is decay present in a tooth, the decay has to be removed and the surface of the tooth has to be prepared for the filling material. With a resin filling, less tooth structure needs to be removed because the filling is bonded to the tooth. With amalgam fillings, often more tooth structure has to be removed so as to hold the filling in place. They are held in the tooth by retention, not bonding and adhesives. This makes resin fillings the more conservative choice.
The resin material used in these white fillings also contain fluoride, which can help to prevent tooth decay.
Disadvantages of Resin Fillings
Resin fillings are more susceptible to staining, and can chip or crack over time. Although advances in dentistry have made them stronger, they are likely to need replacing more often than amalgam/silver fillings.
Do Your Teeth Need Restoration?
Schedule an appointment today!