Can I Get White Fillings Instead of Silver?

Dental fillings are one of the most common dental procedures performed as a form of restorative dental treatment. Science Daily states that the average American has about three dental fillings, while one in four people has 11 or more. Dental fillings are often preferred over alternative restoration procedures since they are versatile, affordable, and very effective at restoring teeth damaged by a cavity. There are various filling materials to choose from, depending on what you are looking for. This article will focus on white fillings and dental fillings in general.

What Are Dental Fillings?

Fillings are a single or mixture of different materials used to repair damaged teeth, making them stronger and more functional. Unlike other restorative dental procedures, the placement of filling materials is not very invasive.

There are various filling materials you could use during filling restoration. For years people have been opting for silver fillings since they are affordable and durable. However, the trend is slowly changing as patients slowly start embracing white fillings.

White fillings are a natural-looking alternative to silver fillings. Once installed, they’ll blend with your natural teeth and give you benefits similar to silver fillings. Patients usually go for resin fillings (white fillings) for their aesthetic appeal. Your dentist in 92563 will recommend removing your cavities before filling them to protect the tooth from further damage.

Benefits of White Fillings

Although many patients get white fillings near you them for their attractiveness, there are other benefits to getting resin fillings. Below are a few benefits of getting white dental fillings:

Reduced Risk of Sensitivity

Composite resin doesn’t conduct heat as fast as metal. Because of this, patients who opt for white fillings don’t have to deal with unpleasant tooth sensitivity when eating or drinking hot or cold food and beverages. You can enjoy ice cream without having to be extra careful to avoid it coming into contact with your restored tooth.

They Are Safe

White fillings are safer than metal fillings. Fillings made of metal can be harmful if not installed properly. Tiny traces of the metal can leak into the bloodstream and cause health issues in the future. Silver amalgam contains small amounts of mercury, a neurotoxin that can be harmful when it leaks. You won’t have to worry about these problems if you have white fillings since they are biocompatible and don’t contain dangerous chemicals or metals.

Are Stable

The material used to make white fillings is not prone to temperature variations. That being said, white fillings do not expand nor contract under hot or cold temperatures. This gives it an edge over other fillings since the fillings won’t wear or damage from expanding and contracting regularly.

Look Natural

Many people prefer white fillings for their aesthetic appeal. Your dentist in 92563 will shade the bonds to match the color of your surrounding teeth so it looks even more appealing. If the fillings are fitted and painted correctly, they can be hard to spot, so you won’t have to worry about other people noticing them once fitted.

Preserve Natural Tooth Structures

As we mentioned earlier, fitting resin fillings are not as invasive as metal fillings since it naturally bonds to the tooth. So during treatment, your dentist won’t have to drill deep into your teeth to prep them to be filled. This will save much of your existing tooth structures so long as they are not cavity infected.

Easy to Replace

Although resin filling is long-lasting, it’ll become worn and less effective with frequent use and thus have to be replaced. Fortunately, these fillings are easier to replace than fit for the first time. Your dentist will just remove the damaged parts of the filling and restore the tooth with composite resin.

How White Fillings Are Placed

It’s good to be informed before visiting a dentist near you for white filling installation. Before applying the dental filling, your dentist must clean and sanitize the treatment site. We will apply a special etching substance to prepare the treatment site. Doing so opens up tiny microscopic pores on the tooth’s enamel to strengthen the bond of the composite resin that will be applied later.

Once we have prepared the tooth, we will fill it with composite resin and mold it. After molding the tooth, our dentist will use a special light to harden the composite. Our dentist will ask you to do some simple mouth movements to check if the filling has been placed correctly or needs to be adjusted.

Conclusion

Dental fillings are an affordable dental treatment that restores your teeth’s strength and functionality. If you want attractive and effective teeth fillings, go for composite fillings. They are safe, durable, and easy to maintain. Visit StarWhite Dental for dental fillings, checkups, and other dental restoration. We have an experienced and professional dentist who can perform simple and complex dental procedures accurately.