In the case of mild to moderate cavities, tooth fillings have long been a highly effective way to stop tooth decay from spreading. Today’s fillings can also maintain and improve your smile’s overall appearance using materials that closely resemble your natural tooth structure, such as composite acrylic resin and dental ceramic. Because of their lifelike appearances, composite resin and porcelain are often utilized for cosmetic procedures such as tooth bonding, porcelain veneers, and same-day dental crowns.

The Long-Term Benefits of Tooth-Colored Fillings

A tooth filling must serve two purposes to properly restore your tooth: stop a cavity from growing larger, and replace the lost tooth structure by filling the cavity with biocompatible material. By choosing composite resin or ceramic instead of traditional metal amalgam, you can enjoy a number of advantages in addition to a more attractive finish. For instance, resin and ceramic bond more securely to your tooth, creating a tighter seal to prevent oral bacteria from re-entering the cavity. The materials also retain their shapes for much longer than metal, reducing risks of failure that could expose the tooth to further harm.

When a cavity is especially large, your dentist might recommend a ceramic inlay, which is similar to a filling but slightly larger. An inlay lies within the crevices on your tooth’s chewing surface as well as within the cavity, providing more comprehensive restoration without the need for a more extensive dental crown.

Treat Your Cavity with a Better, Tooth-Colored Filling

When you have a cavity, treating it means fixing your tooth and preserving your smile as well as making sure that the tooth doesn’t experience further infection. To learn more about the benefits of choosing a tooth-colored filling, schedule a consultation by calling Smith Family Dentistry in Greenville, TX, today at 903-455-5750. We proudly serve patients from Hunt County, Greenville, Royce City, Sulphur Springs, and all surrounding communities.