The alternative to traditional Alloy Fillings
The Problem:
- Decay on a portion of a tooth
- Desire to replace Alloy (silver) fillings
- Desire to maintain a white, beautiful smile
The Solution:
A composite filling is a tooth-colored filling made of a compound of ceramic and plastic. After tooth decay is removed and cleaned, the composite material is layered into the tooth. Each layer is then hardened or cured by a light, and the final surface is shaped and polished to match the tooth.
Advantages:
Composite fillings are much more than just an aesthetic option. They are environmentally non-toxic because they use no metal or mercury. They are also stronger because they bond directly to the surface of the tooth and typically require less tooth structure to be removed from the natural tooth during treatment. The removal of less natural tooth structure helps protect the tooth from fracturing in the future.
Disadvantages:
The initial investment in a composite filling is higher than that of an alloy filling. This is due to the fact that many dental insurances do not reimburse Composite fillings the same as Alloy fillings. However, this initial higher investment is offset in the long run by the health benefits and reduced likelihood of restoring potentially fractured teeth.
Alternatives:
Crowns, Inlays, and Onlays are sometimes good alternatives to composite fillings if the condition of a tooth cannot properly retain a traditional filling. These alternatives offer our patients excellent long term durability in cases of extensive decay or fractures.
