Why Your Tooth Prefers a Tooth-Colored Filling

The development of a cavity is something that most people will have to deal with at least once in their lives. Fortunately, dealing with a cavity isn’t usually difficult, and for many patients, the fillings placed in their teeth remain so discreet that no one else notices them. However, tooth-colored fillings are popular for more reasons than just their appearance or the common need to treat a cavity. They’re also preferable for restoring your tooth due to the material’s high biocompatibility and ability to bond securely to your tooth.

The filling isn’t noticeable

Tooth-colored fillings are designed to do just what their name suggests – to mimic the color and shade of your healthy, natural tooth structure. This is possible due to the biocompatible material that tooth-colored fillings are made from. Known as composite resin, the material is a mixture of finely ground acrylic and quartz-like particles, rather than a variety of metals. Composite resin can be custom-tinted to the specific color and shade of your tooth, making it blend in with your tooth’s natural appearance as it fills your cavity.

Your cavity will stop growing

The point of any tooth filling is to save a tooth that’s been afflicted with tooth decay, which involves filling the cavity that has formed in the wake of the decay. However, simply placing material in your cavity won’t necessarily treat it. The secret to how a tooth-colored filling works is the resin’s ability to bond securely to your tooth structure after the infection has been cleaned away. The bond between your filling and your tooth structure helps ensure that the tooth doesn’t become infected again, particularly in the area where your cavity has already formed.

The filling is more likely to last

The biocompatibility of tooth-colored composite resin, mixed with the tight bond between it and your tooth, do more for your teeth than just blend in with their appearance. Tooth-colored composite resin is designed to conform precisely to your cavity’s shape and retain that shape long after it’s been hardened. Because of this, your filling can last longer than a traditional metal one, and offer more effective results in preserving and protecting your tooth long-term.

Learn more about tooth-colored fillings

A tooth-colored filling can treat your cavity more discreetly and with more effective results, which is why your tooth may appreciate it more than a metal filling. To learn more, schedule an appointment by calling Allen & Neumann Family Dentistry in Pella, IA, today at (641) 628-1121.