With more than 90% of adults experiencing a cavity at least once in their lives, tooth fillings (the most common treatment for cavities) are a highly popular restorative treatment. Fortunately, filling your cavity doesn’t have to leave a noticeable, metallic mark as it used to. At our Virginia Beach, VA, dental office, we utilize tooth-colored composite resin instead of metal to create more discreet ways to fill a cavity.
Why filling it fast matters
Cavities are a result of tooth decay – an infection caused by harmful oral bacteria – and the longer they remain, the larger they grow. That’s because the infection will progress through your tooth structure until your dentist treats it by removing the decay and infected tooth structure. Then, your dentist can fill the cavity to restore the tooth structure that you’ve lost and give your tooth its strength and integrity back.
The advantages of a tooth-colored filling
Tooth-colored fillings are made from a biocompatible material known as composite resin. The resin is a mixture of finely ground acrylic and quartz-like particles, and it can be tinted to the specific color and shade of your natural tooth structure. This gives your tooth-colored filling a highly discreet and lifelike finish, allowing you to preserve your tooth’s natural, healthy appearance.
If you already have a metal filling…
While tooth-colored fillings continue to grow in popularity, they’re relatively new compared to other options. For example, metal amalgam was the most popular filling material for several decades before composite resin. If you’ve already had a metal filling placed, then speak with your dentist about the advantages of switching it out for a more biocompatible tooth-colored one.
Fix your cavity with a tooth-colored filling
If you have a cavity, then learn why fixing it with a tooth-colored filling could be the best thing you could do for your tooth’s long-term health. To learn more, schedule a consultation by calling the Absolute Dental Care office in Virginia Beach, VA, today at (757) 428-7440. We proudly welcome patients from Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Norfolk, Suffolk, Hampton, Eastern Shore, and all surrounding communities.
