Resin fillings — sometimes referred to as composite fillings or tooth-colored fillings — have become a popular choice for dental restorations. Unlike traditional metal fillings, resin fillings blend seamlessly with the color of your teeth, and that’s just the tip of the iceberg!
Take a moment to explore even more benefits of resin fillings, courtesy of the Oasis Dental Team providers.
When you have a cavity, a filling helps restore the damaged tooth by sealing off the decayed area, preventing further decay, and restoring your tooth’s ability to function properly. This is all true of every filling, whether you have it filled with amalgam (often called “silver” fillings) or resin.
That being said, there are certain advantages to choosing resin over other materials. Resin fillings:
It’s no secret that you have a filling when you smile with a metal filling, but that isn’t the case with resin fillings.
Your Oasis Dental Team PC dentist can match the color of the resin filling with your natural teeth. This makes them ideal for visible areas of your mouth.
No fillings last forever, but resin fillings are designed to withstand the pressure of chewing and biting. They bond directly to your tooth and provide added strength and protection.
In other words, as long as you take care of your fillings (and oral health in general), resin fillings are more durable than other materials. Some new composite resin materials may be twice as resistant to breaking.
Compared to metal fillings, resin fillings are much better at reducing tooth sensitivity. Temperature changes can cause metal fillings to expand and contract, which can increase sensitivity over time.
On the other hand, resin fillings provide a more stable and protective seal that minimizes sensitivity to hot and cold foods. Plus, resin fillings don't contain metals that might react to temperature.
Resin can be used to treat cavities, repair chips, or even reshape a tooth, which makes it a versatile option for a variety of dental issues.
In addition to resin fillings, the Oasis Dental Team PC also uses resin for other restorations, including veneers and crowns.
If you’re looking for metal-free and/or mercury-free dentistry, this might be the most important benefit of resin fillings for you.
Resin fillings don’t contain any metal, including mercury. They’re made of a mixture of plastic or acrylic resin and a powdered glass filler.
Amalgam fillings contain mercury, which is one of the top 10 public health concerns according to the World Health Organization. In fact, amalgam fillings contain up to 50% mercury (by weight), and switching to resin can help you avoid this potential concern.
Getting a resin filling is a quick and simple procedure that can be completed in just one visit. Your Oasis Dental Team PC dentist removes the decayed part of the tooth, cleans the area, and then applies the resin material.
Since resin is soft and moldable at first, our team easily shapes it to match the contours of your tooth. Once the resin is in place, we cure (harden) it with a special light, and the process is done — leaving you with a restored tooth in no time!
If you need a filling — or suspect that you have a cavity — don’t postpone your appointment. Getting a cavity filling quickly can help you avoid the complications of an untreated cavity.
To schedule your appointment in our Bala Cynwyd, Pennsylvania, office, call us at 484-278-4134 or click here to get started.
