If you have a cavity, you may be wondering what kind of tooth filling your dentist will recommend. At our dental office in El Paso, TX, we offer tooth-colored composite resin fillings. This type of filling is often more convenient, comfortable, and lifelike than patients realize. In this blog post, we will discuss the benefits of composite resin fillings and why they may be the best option for you!
What Happens When a Damaged Tooth Is Not Treated?
A filling is a simple procedure with significant advantages. Your dentist removes the decaying or damaged section of the tooth, applies fillings material to it, and shapes and polishes it to blend in with neighboring teeth. The filling stops decay while also preserving the structure and appearance of the tooth so you can chew comfortably while still showing off your smile.
The decay penetrates through the tooth’s enamel until it reaches the innermost part of the tooth, which contains blood vessels, nerves, and tissue that maintains the tooth alive and healthy.
A filling would no longer be an option once a cavity reaches this depth. You’ll most likely be in agony, and your dentist will recommend that you have a root canal to save the tooth. Otherwise, you will lose it. Because tooth loss damages your confidence, comfort, and long-term oral health, you want to avoid this situation at all costs.
Tooth-Colored Composite Resin Teeth Fillings
Traditionally, the majority of tooth fillings have been composed of a mix of trace metals known as amalgam. The substance is long-lasting, but because it is made of metal, it does not engage with your healthy natural tooth structure in the same way as composite resin. Instead of metal, the composite resin is made up of acrylic and quartz-like particles, making it safe to adhere to the natural tooth structure and paint to match the color of the tooth it’s replacing. This makes it more appealing than a metal filling as well as more biocompatible with your teeth.
Avoid Root Canal Treatment
The condition that causes cavities, known as tooth decay, gets progressively worse over time. If you wait to have a cavity treated, you could require root canal therapy by the time you visit your dentist. If you have a filling placed but it fails, as metal ones sometimes do, the infection can spread before you replace the material, necessitating root canal treatment. Teeth-colored fillings, on the other hand, offer greater protection against oral germs and may lead to less extensive treatment down the road.
Long-Lasting Dental Filling
Tooth-colored composite resin fillings can usually endure much longer than metal fillings. The other reason is consistency: metal fillings can alter shape over time due to cold or heat exposure. This can cause the filling to break, harm your tooth, and/or expose it to further infection. Composition resin, on the other hand, maintains its form for a long time after being placed in your cavity, enhancing its longevity.
Schedule a Tooth Filling Consultation Today!
We’re at Dentist Near Me in El Paso, TX, to help with any questions or concerns about oral health that our community members may have. Please do not hesitate to contact us by phone or email if you are interested in obtaining a dental filling or have any kind of oral problem. We are looking forward to meeting you, and we’d be delighted to answer any of your questions. We can’t wait to see you in our office!
Call today at (915) 213-5480, or click the Appointments button above to schedule your next visit today!