The memory of a cavity can serve as a valuable reminder to practice good hygiene, especially if the cavity caused you significant discomfort. If you treated your cavity with a silver filling, however, you could probably do without the metallic reminder every time you open your mouth to speak and smile. Fortunately, your dentist can help you keep the memory of your cavity private by creating a dental filling that blends with your tooth’s appearance and significantly reduces the risk of infection returning.

Natural-Looking Tooth Fillings

Esthetics, or the cosmetic appeal of something, plays a major role in modern dentistry. Contentment in your smile means you’re more likely to show it more often, which studies show can have a positive impact on your social interactions, general mood, self-confidence, and overall wellbeing. Tooth-colored composite resin is an amalgam of acrylic and glass-like particles, rather than metal, and can be tinted to match your tooth’s natural color. Resin is also biologically compatible, meaning it has no negative effects on healthy oral tissues, and can be bonded to your tooth’s structure for a stronger seal against harmful bacteria.

Replacing Metal Tooth Fillings

If you have a cavity that needs treatment, or if you’re wondering whether you should remove your old metal fillings and replace them with white composite ones, then consult with your dentist about your best course of action. Aside from their esthetic downfalls, metal dental fillings won’t adhere to your tooth’s surface, and in some cases can separate from the tooth, creating enough space for infectious germs to slip past it. Metal can also expand in hot temperatures, damaging your rigid tooth and creating a new set of problems that could require more complex restorative treatment. If your metal filling has failed, or if you wish to reduce the risk of failure, then your dentist may recommend replacing the metal amalgam with tooth-colored resin.