Our Blog:
Archive:
- 2019
- 2018
- 2017
- 2016
- 2015
- 2014
- 2013
- 2012
Tags
- celebrity smiles (68)
- orthodontic treatment (10)
- common symptoms (1)
- oral health (14)
- snoring and sleep apnea (1)
- oral cancer (3)
- root canal (3)
- endodontics (1)
- dental injury (11)
- dental emergency (1)
- mouthguard (4)
- missing tooth (2)
- replacing teeth (2)
- dental implant (3)
- pregnancy (2)
- snoring (3)
- sleep apnea (4)
- teeth whitening (5)
- tooth bleaching (1)
- cosmetic dentistry (14)
- oral hygiene (15)
- gum disease (16)
- diabetes (1)
- tooth decay (2)
- mouthguards (4)
- braces (9)
- orthodontics (7)
- pediatric dentistry (9)
- teething (1)
- palatal expanders (1)
- periodontal disease (1)
- fillings (1)
- bonding (2)
- veneers (3)
- porcelain veneers (3)
- dental implants (10)
- dental anxiety (2)
- medication (1)
- dentures (1)
- crown (3)
- fluoride (1)
- floss (1)
- flossing (2)
- thumb sucking (2)
- clear aligners (2)
- pediatric care (1)
- cracked tooth (1)
- laser dentistry (3)
- athletic mouthguards (1)
- teeth wear (1)
- tooth pain (2)
- root canal treatment (1)
- crowns (3)
- chipped teeth (1)
- sedation dentistry (2)
- wisdom teeth (4)
- bone grafting (1)
- bad breath (1)
- mouth sore (1)
- toothache (1)
- abscessed tooth (1)
- gummy smile (1)
- blood pressure (1)
- teeth grinding (2)
- chipped tooth (3)
- artificial sweeteners (1)
- nutrition (3)
- sugar (2)
- periodontal surgery (1)
- facial pain (1)
- trigeminal neuralgia (1)
- retainers (2)
- tmj disorders (1)
- gum recession (3)
- crown lengthening (1)
- smile makeover (1)
- retainer (1)
- tooth grinding (1)
- lingual braces (1)
- bonded retainer (1)
Categories:
My Blog
Posts for tag: fillings
Are tooth-colored fillings safer than silver fillings?
No. Both are considered safe based on the most reliable and up-to-date scientific evidence. Still, tooth-colored fillings do have some definite advantages. Not only do they blend in with your smile far better than “silver” (dental amalgam) fillings, but they often require less removal of healthy tooth structure. That’s because in order to fill a tooth with amalgam, it is necessary to create indentations in the tooth called “undercuts” to hold the amalgam in; this requires the removal of some healthy tooth material. With a tooth-colored filling, we need only remove the decayed part of the tooth to place the filling.
Are there any disadvantages?
Yes, tooth-colored fillings don’t always wear as well as metal fillings — particularly on back molars where they are subjected to the most stress from chewing. They are also more expensive and less likely to be fully reimbursed under dental insurance plans.
Are there different types of tooth-colored fillings?
Yes, three different choices of tooth-colored fillings are available:
- Composite — This mixture of plastic and glass is the most common type of tooth-colored filling. Newer materials can hold up almost as long as amalgam fillings and look very natural, though they can stain over time just as natural teeth do.
- Porcelain — High-tech dental ceramics are considered the most aesthetic choice of filling material. They don’t stain as composites can, but their relatively high glass content can make them more brittle and prone to breakage. They may be more expensive than composites.
- Glass Ionomer — Made of acrylic and glass powders, these inexpensive, translucent fillings blend in acceptably well with natural teeth and have the advantage of releasing small amounts of fluoride to help prevent decay. However, they generally don’t last as long as other restorative materials.
We would be happy to offer guidance on which choice would be best in your own unique situation.
If you have any questions about tooth-colored fillings, please contact us or schedule an appointment for a consultation. You can learn more by reading the Dear Doctor magazine article “The Natural Beauty of Tooth-Colored Fillings.”