Since the 1960s, tooth-colored fillings have been used to fill cavities in anterior teeth. New developments in dental technology and materials have produced compounds that make it possible to replace silver fillings with composite resin. Your entire smile can now look natural with this cosmetic dental treatment.
Tooth-colored fillings, or composite fillings, have long been used in front teeth, but early materials did not have the durability or strength to be used in molars or large fillings. Thanks to advancements in the dental field, this is no longer the case. Many patients are opting to replace silver amalgam fillings with composites for aesthetic reasons.
Composite fillings can be tinted to match your tooth color exactly. The materials used in today’s composites provide a stronger bond to the natural tooth, and the finished product is smooth and slick in your mouth, just like your natural teeth.
Before, a wide-open laugh, singing, yawning or anytime your mouth was wide open, dental work on the back teeth could easily be seen. For some, this meant several teeth with silver fillings. Now those fillings can be replaced with composite fillings that match your natural tooth color, and no matter how wide you open your mouth, no dental work will show.
What is a Composite Resin?
Composite resin is a combination of ceramic or glass and plastic. Several manufacturers of these materials have produced a wide variety of composites, each with its advantages. A curing light is used with some resins to harden the material. They are placed in layers with light being used on each layer to harden the resin and bond it to the tooth structure.
A major advantage of composite resin is that these materials do not require as much prepping of the tooth as amalgam fillings. More of the natural tooth structure is left intact. Once set and cured, the resin is trimmed and polished to a high gloss. This gives the filling a natural look and feel.
Engineered Smiles is committed to helping our patients achieve their healthiest and most beautiful smiles. Schedule an appointment to consult with Dr. Wang about replacing your silver fillings with natural-looking composite fillings.