If you talk to someone over the age of 70, you’re sure to hear about times when many things were done the “right,” old-school way. Cars and other products were made to last with strong, quality materials! In the past, when a tooth developed a cavity, amalgam fillings, consisting of a combination of silver, tin, mercury, zinc, and copper, can last for decades. Although tooth-colored fillings fall short of the same durability, there are many other reasons to receive these composite resin fillings instead of amalgam, especially those discussed below.
Reason #1: Tooth-Colored Fillings Have a More Subtle Appearance.
With amalgam fillings, as soon as you open your mouth, those around you can notice dark gray patches on your teeth. On the other hand, tooth-colored fillings resemble the enamel around it, blending in perfectly and appearing completely natural. In fact, most people will not be able to tell if your tooth ever required repair at all. This smooth, realistic look comes from composite contents: fine ceramic particles and dental plastic, which can be shaded to match the enamel precisely.
Reason #2: Composite Bonds to Tooth Structure Better Than Amalgam.
One major issue with the amalgamized metals in fillings is that these materials do not adhere to tooth structure easily. As a result, even a small cavity may require removing additional enamel and other layers to give the filling a better grasp on the tooth. In other words, healthy structure is lost! Composite, however, bonds well with your natural teeth, allowing you to keep more as long as possible.
Reason #3: Composite Fillings Do Not React to Extreme Temperatures.
If you remember high school science, you may recall that metals tend to absorb and transfer extreme heat and cold. When it comes to fillings, amalgam can react to hot or cold foods and drinks you consume and transmit the temperature to your tooth’s nerve, triggering a sensitive or even painful response. This does not happen with the material used for composite fillings as long as you take care of the tooth to prevent further decay or damage.
Reason #4: Tooth-Colored Fillings Contain No Metal.
Although the amount of mercury in amalgam fillings is officially considered non-toxic to humans, many people hesitate to put this substance and other metals inside their mouths, especially for fear of mercury particles in the air. Fortunately, composite resin has no metal content at all, which can give you plenty of reassurance and peace of mind concerning the safety of products in your body.
Your elderly loved ones may be correct about some items being higher quality in the past, but innovations in filling materials have made this restoration and procedure better over the years. The good news is that most dentists take advantage of healthier, more aesthetic options like composite resin for fillings, so you don’t have to suffer—even if you end up with a cavity!
About the Practice
Brooks Dental has been a locally and family-owned dental practice since 1959. Starting with Dr. Barry Brooks and since added his son, Dr. Howard Brooks, and his granddaughter, Dr. Stephanie Brooks. Even though our attitude toward patient safety, comfort, and satisfaction have not changed over that time, our methods have adapted and evolved with beneficial advancements to help our patients have healthier smiles! If you have questions about the materials the Winthrop dental team utilizes daily, feel free to contact us online or call us at 617-846-1811.