Tooth-Colored Dental Fillings

For the past 150 years, silver dental fillings have been the "gold standard" in dental offices. And until recently, there were no alternatives to having a mouthful of metal. Although amalgam works well as a tooth filling material, it tends to make people look as though they can pick up a satellite signal at any moment. And the larger the silver dental filling, the more noticeable it is.

Luckily, advancements in modern dentistry have given us new options for dental restorations. Tooth-colored dental fillings, a substitute for silver fillings, offer a natural-looking alternative to amalgam. And unlike silver dental fillings, white fillings can actually be structured to resemble real teeth!


The New Standard
Many dental offices currently offer tooth-colored fillings as a dental restoration. White fillings are now made with materials that offer the durability we've come to expect from amalgam fillings. There are several types of tooth-colored fillings available:

Composite Fillings -- Also known as composite resin fillings, these are the most common of the tooth-colored dental fillings. Composite fillings mix resin with a glass or quartz filler to maintain their white color. Although relatively sturdy, composite resin doesn't quite match the strength of amalgam dental fillings, and are used more frequently for small to medium cavities. Composite resin is also used when dental bonding the front teeth.

Porcelain Fillings -- Porcelain may be used as an alternative to composite dental fillings, and is often used to create dental inlays, dental onlays and dental crowns. Perhaps the most aesthetically pleasing of the tooth-colored restorations, porcelain fillings are more expensive than composite fillings.

Inlays and Onlays -- Like dental crowns, dental inlays and dental onlays are made in a dental laboratory and cemented onto the tooth. But a dental inlay covers only a small section of the tooth, and the larger dental onlay covers the chewing surface. Because dental inlays and onlays are custom-made to fit your teeth, they are often done in two visits.

Glass or Resin Ionomers -- A translucent filling material, ionomers are made of acrylic acid, glass and occasionally resin. Because ionomers are more prone to fracture, they are used to fill small areas where the mouth is under less stress, such as in between teeth or near the tooth's root.


More Than Just a Pretty Face
Tooth-colored fillings are an excellent option for those in need of minor restorations. Not only are patients pleased with the result, but there are several clinical reasons one may choose white dental fillings over silver dental fillings. Consider the "pros" when it comes to tooth-colored fillings:

*Amalgam dental fillings darken over time, and large fillings may cause outlying enamel to appear gray.

*Amalgam dental fillings sometimes require the dentist to remove more of the tooth structure. With composite fillings, only the diseased part of the tooth is removed, helping to preserve more healthy tissue.

*Composite fillings can be done in just one dental visit.

*Composite resin and porcelain are excellent alternatives for patients with rare metal allergies. As some believe mercury toxicity has been linked to certain medical conditions, they may choose tooth-colored fillings as a prevention method. But throughout its long history, there has been no proof that amalgam causes any disease, deeming it a safe filling material by the American Dental Association and many public health groups.


Weigh Your Options
As one might expect, there are some opposing arguments to consider. Tooth-colored fillings require more preparation and time, leaving you to dish out more cash for the procedure. Because it may be considered a cosmetic procedure, be sure to check with your dental insurance company about their policies before having tooth-colored restorations placed.

However, even if you're interested, tooth-colored fillings aren't always encouraged. Composite dental fillings may not be appropriate for large dental cavities, and they have a shorter lifespan than amalgam restorations. So if you have a large silver dental filling you'd like to get replaced, a dental crown may be a better option.


Keep Smiling!
Just like any other restoration, white dental fillings require excellent dental care in order to prevent staining and limit wear and tear. Regular dental visits are also necessary to maintain dental work and to check for any signs of further tooth decay. Of course, with teeth that pretty, you'll want to take the best care of them possible!