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Even though tooth decay is largely preventable with the right oral hygiene habits and routine dental checkups, it is still the leading oral health condition that our dentists treat here at Real Dental. In the old days, repairing a cavity meant you had to get a dark metal filling. While they were durable and effective, they weren’t exactly aesthetically pleasing. Not to mention, they often contain trace amounts of mercury. As a safer option for cavity repair that no one will notice, we are able to offer tooth-colored fillings in Grand Prairie. If you have a visible cavity or old metal filling, we encourage you to call us today for a more seamless solution!
Metal fillings have been commonplace in restorative dentistry for several decades. Recently, though, dentists have begun turning away from them due to their multiple drawbacks compared to tooth-colored fillings. Their primary disadvantage is the fact that they shine a spotlight on your dental work, making you self-conscious about smiling or laughing in front of others. They also contain various metals, including mercury. The American Dental Association has stated that metal fillings are safe, but many patients are still concerned about the possibility of long-term mercury exposure.
By contrast, tooth-colored fillings contain no metal at all. Instead, they are made of composite resin, a mixture of fine glass and plastic particles. Not only is composite resin completely metal-free, but it can be personalized to blend in with the exact color of your tooth enamel for a natural-looking appearance.
Tooth-colored fillings let you enjoy many advantages over metal solutions, one of which is peace of mind. Once the filling has been placed, you won’t need to stress about mercury exposure or onlookers noticing that you got dental work done.
These fillings are also biocompatible, making them a great alternative for patients with sensitivity to certain metals. You also won’t have to worry about metal seeping into your enamel and darkening your tooth over time.
When placing a tooth-colored filling, less enamel must be removed to make room compared to metal fillings. The composite resin also bonds directly to your tooth, more effectively sealing out the nerves in its center and resulting in less temperature sensitivity.
After numbing your mouth, one of our dentists will remove the decayed portion of your enamel and thoroughly clean the tooth. An etchant material is applied in order to open the pores in your tooth, ensuring the composite resin forms a powerful bond. The custom-shaded resin is administered and sculpted along the way. Once we’re finished, we shine an ultraviolet light onto the resin to harden it within seconds. We’ll make any final adjustments and give the tooth a polish before sending you on your way.
