Say Goodbye to Metal Fillings Thanks to Composite Fillings

When you think of fillings, you probably think of teeth that appear to have a silver core inside. In fact, filling used by cosmetic dentists in the past weren’t made from silver but mercury, a material that — while harmless — does little to provide an aesthetically pleasing set of teeth. (Also, if you’ve ever accidentally bitten a piece of metal on a filling, you know how painful it can be.)

But times have changed, and new advancements in cosmetic dentistry have including new materials for fillings such as composite fillings. These are typically made of a mixture of quartz and glass, creating a material that is strong but also tooth colored, making them an attractive choice for people embarrassed by the thought of having metal fillings in their teeth.

Cosmetic dentists are also turning to composite fillings for reasons beyond looks, such as the need to remove less tooth structure upon preparation of the tooth and that the filling can be bonded to the tooth. If you are interested in using composite fillings for new cavities or to replace existing fillings, contact your cosmetic dentist.