What Kinds Of Cosmetic Fillings Are Available?

Cavities are caused by bacteria and their by-products (mostly acids) that have eaten away at the enamel of a tooth. They can cause pain and discomfort. When a dentist diagnoses a patient with a cavity, the first course of action is to remove the decay that has caused damage to the natural tooth. Once decay is eliminated, there is a hole in the enamel of the tooth. In order to repair this crevice, your dentist will use a cosmetic filling to plug the space, prevent further decay, and strengthen the tooth structure.

There are primarily two filling options available: amalgam and composite. Both are sound dental solutions. They are strong and durable and do a good job of filling a cavity. Amalgam fillings are essentially metal, silver or dark in color. Composite fillings are created from man-made materials, shaded to match the tooth’s natural color. Which one is best for you?

Dr. Andrew Greenberg in Charleston, of Mouth Carolina Dentistry, PA, typically recommends composite fillings for his patients. While they are a bit more expensive than silver fillings, composite cosmetic fillings are usually preferred because they require removal of less of the tooth surface, and are a more natural tooth-colored shade. Silver fillings are extremely obvious within the mouth, and can be unattractive. In addition, more enamel must be removed to hold an amalgam filling, and they can cause long-term gray discoloration of the tooth.

The finished look of a composite filling is beautiful, natural, and seamless in comparison to an amalgam filling. The end result more than offsets the small additional cost to most patients.

Dr. Greenberg of Mouth Carolina Dentistry, PA can help you keep your gorgeous smile with natural- looking cosmetic fillings. If you are from the Charleston area need to have cavities addressed, call Dr. Greenberg today to schedule a consultation and start taking better care of your teeth!