When a tooth becomes infected by bacteria, a cavity is formed. The infection will spread to the deeper layers of the teeth, and it will continue to spread until the progression is halted. Disease progression is effectively halted with tooth fillings. In this procedure, the diseased tissue is removed and the tooth is cleansed. After tooth preparation, the cavity is sealed with a tooth filling and the choice of a material is going to be a crucial one to make.
Tooth fillings may be done using different materials. The choice that you make is going to be dependent on your preference, priority, budget and even the tooth condition. Composite tooth fillings seem to be the most popular choice and these are the reasons why:
– Aesthetics and Color-matching: One of the good things about composite tooth fillings is that they are very aesthetically appealing. Composite resins come in different shades so they can be perfectly matched to the appearance of the natural tooth. There is not going to be a problem with color-matching, so they can be placed on the anterior teeth, unlike in the case of silver amalgam and gold. It may stain and discolor, like the natural tooth, unlike porcelain; but porcelain does not corrode and stain the tooth like silver amalgam does.
– Affordability: Composite tooth fillings are rather affordable. It is not as cheap as silver amalgam, but given the aesthetic contributions of composite resin, the extra money you pay for is surely worth it. Compared to gold, ceramic and porcelain, they are rather affordable. In fact, the popularity that it enjoys may be related to this. Composite tooth fillings are highly aesthetic, yet it is not so expensive.
– Tooth Preservation and Conservativeness of Treatment: Composite fillings rely on the use of an adhesive material for it to be retained in the mouth. Silver and gold fillings rely on tooth surface for it to be retained, so tooth preparation is very crucial, often requiring the dentist to extend tooth preparation so that it is more divergent as the preparation proceed into the tooth.
– Retention and Durability: In relation to what is mentioned above, composite tooth fillings can be quite retentive. If used directly, a bonding adhesive may be used to adhere it to the tooth surface; if used indirectly, cement may be used to be able to permanently adhere the filling into the tooth cavity.
– Simplicity of Process: Composite tooth fillings follow a very straightforward process of fabrication. The tooth is prepared and the fillings are laid onto the tooth in small increments. The whole process is fairly simple, unlike in the case of porcelain and ceramic tooth fillings which includes a very important laboratory fabrication.
– Safe for Health: Composite resin is made of a polymer plastic material that is healthy for use. It is not like metal fillings that are heat-sensitive, so it does not cause any discomfort to the patient; and it does not contain mercury, like in the case of silver amalgam so it does not put the patient at risk of developing mercury poisoning.
When you come to a dentist for tooth fillings, you have the option to choose a material to be used. Composite tooth fillings have long been the perfect choice and they continue to be the right choice. Embrace the may benefits of composite tooth fillings discussed above.