Tooth decay, otherwise known as a “cavity” can happen to the best of us. Research shows that a large percentage of patients will develop a cavity at some point during their lifetime. When decay is diagnosed or a cavity is found, it is vital that patients are proactive about having the problem treated to protect their teeth from the cavity becoming larger or having it lead to  infection. At Sterling Plaza Dentistry / Tom Alexander, DDS in Irvine, California, we are committed to providing solutions that work—and are healthy and natural-looking.

The most popular treatment for cavities has been the use of a composite resin material. Alternatively, patients may have also had silver amalgam fillings. But are tooth-colored fillings better than silver amalgam fillings? Let’s find out!

What is a Tooth-Colored Filling?

A tooth-colored filling is a cosmetic filling matching the natural color of a tooth to restore an area of decay on a tooth. This material is a composite resin that is utilized in dentistry and is a safe and biocompatible material. Composite resin can be used not only for filling a cavity but also for direct application to teeth within the smile to cover imperfections such as gaps, chips, cracks or even to change the shape of a natural tooth.

What About Silver Amalgam Fillings?

While many patients may already have had silver amalgam fillings placed in the past, they do have trace mercury and metals embedded into the filling material that some patients are finding they can be sensitive to.  Silver amalgam fillings are certainly more noticeable and can be unsightly within the your smile line. Silver amalgam fillings can turn darker overtime and can also expand causing fracturing or weakening of the tooth structure around the filling.

What are the Benefits of Composite Fillings?

Many of our patients are well suited for composite resin fillings thanks to their many benefits:

• Composite resin fillings are more natural-looking in color, making it easier to match and blend them into the smile for the best results
• Composite resin fillings will not expand and contract, allowing them to seal a tooth better and avoid problems such as infection due to bacteria entering the inner canals of the natural tooth
• Composite resin fillings are metal free so toxicities or mercury sensitivity are not an issue ensuring a safe and biocompatible result that looks natural and keeps the entire smile and body healthier over time

Find out more about the advantages of composite resin fillings!

If you need to have a cavity treated or and want to talk to an experienced provider about your options, like composite resin fillings, we invite you to call and book an appointment with, Dr. Tom Alexander.

Sterling Plaza Dentistry / Tom Alexander, DDS, can be reached by calling (949) 868-2224. We are open to patients in Irvine, CA, and beyond and welcome new individuals and families seeking comprehensive, quality dental solutions.

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