When a patient’s tooth becomes damaged or infected, our dental team may need to fortify and rebuild the tooth structure with a composite filling. Composite fillings make restorative dental treatment more effective and more convenient than ever before. In this short article, our O’Fallon dentists are outlining some of the benefits of composite restorations over other conventional options.
Color
One of the main reasons that dental patients prefer composite fillings is that these fillings, once in place, look white and natural. Traditional amalgam fillings looked metallic and grey on the tooth’s surface. Now, however, you don’t need to mar your smile in order to treat dental damage.
Conservative Option
Another reason that composite fillings are considered state-of-the-art is that, when we place them, they don’t require our dentist to shave away as much healthy tooth structure as a metal filling requires. When you choose a composite restoration, you are able to retain more of your existing healthy dental structure.
Less Heat Reactivity
Amalgam fillings are prone to expanding and contracting when exposed to hot and cold temperatures. Regular expansion and contraction can put unnecessary pressure on the surrounding tooth. Over time, this may cause your tooth to develop cracks or chips. This can also compromise the strength and stability of the filling, and cause it to come loose.
Completely Metal Free
Composite fillings are made without any metal or mercury. Amalgam fillings traditionally include mercury as a component part. Many dental patients are trying to get away from mercury fillings, and are thus replacing them with composite.
If you want to learn more about your restorative dentistry options, including composite fillings, our O’Fallon dentists are happy to help! Give our team a call to get started, or you can always use the Contact Us page on our website in order to submit an inquiry.