Thankfully, dental technology has advanced to offer more natural-looking fillings so even if your teeth are imperfect, your smile doesn’t have to be. Composite fillings are made of tooth-colored resin that allows them to blend in with your other teeth. Also known as composite resins, these types of fillings are becoming more popular and replacing the traditional amalgam fillings that are made of metal.
If you are interested in treating the cavities or any other cracks in your teeth with a natural-looking filling, you should consider asking your dentist about composite fillings. The Long Island cosmetic dentists at Dental Expressions are passionate about offering the latest developments in dental technology to improve the oral health of our patients. Call today at 718-395-5331 to schedule your consultation and learn more about whether composite fillings are right for you.
What Are Composite Fillings?
Fillings are materials used to fill in a hole or crack in a tooth. Usually these fractures are caused by cavities, and they must be filled to preserve the tooth and prevent further damage to it. The silver or gold-colored fillings most people are familiar with are called amalgam fillings because they are a blend of various metals. Composite fillings are made of a resin derived from plastics and ceramic.
What Are the Advantages of Composite Fillings?
The greatest advantage of composite fillings is their ability to blend in with your other teeth. The resin material they are made of can be perfectly matched to the color of your other teeth. Everyone wants a beautiful, white smile and now you can still have one even if you develop cavities. When the first composite fillings were offered, they were not nearly as strong as amalgam and so dentists only used them for front teeth where visibility mattered most. Now that technology has advanced, however, composite fillings are more durable and strong enough to be used even in back teeth where there is more pressure on teeth from chewing and grinding. You can smile big again with composite fillings and not worry about what your back teeth look like.
What Are the Disadvantages of Composite Fillings?
Composite fillings tend to cost more than amalgam fillings because resin is a more expensive material. Their durability has also been studied less than amalgam fillings because they have not been around for as long. For these reasons, some dental insurance will not cover the cost of composite fillings, so it is best to check with your dental insurance provider if you are considering them. Due to their popularity, more and more dental insurance providers are covering composite fillings for front teeth, but it is best to check with them first to help you understand your options.
Which Type of Filling Is Right for You?
Innovations in cosmetic dentistry offer more options than ever before. If you need cavities or cracks in your teeth filled, you may want to consider composite fillings that blend in beautifully with your teeth. Though they tend to cost more than amalgam fillings, composite fillings may be worth it if having a confident smile is important to you. Talk with your experienced dentist to find out which type of filling best meets your needs.
Contact Dr. Gary Bram to schedule an appointment
Come visit us in Bayside to find out if composite fillings are right for you. We offer $1 exams to all of our new patients, so call today at 718-395-5331 to schedule your appointment. Come see for yourself how Dr. Bram treats every patient like family.
