For decades, dental amalgam — the common “silver” fillings found in the mouths of millions — was the best option for restoring teeth after the removal of decay. This time-tested material is still going strong, but in recent years it’s had serious competition from newer restoration techniques that use tooth-colored substances to make fillings. If you’ve heard of these new materials and want to know more, you can start with the following five facts.
1) Filling materials must match the properties of natural teeth.
When properly cared for, teeth are strong, resilient, and superbly functional. A good filling material should mimic the strength and durability of natural teeth under biting forces. It should also last a long time in the mouth, be relatively easy to place, and be economical in cost. In the past, amalgam fillings were the best choice to do the job. But that was then…
2) Tooth-colored filling materials offer similar benefits, plus aesthetic appeal.
Composite resins and dental porcelains are tough, durable materials that have been found to hold up well under years of use. Unlike traditional silver fillings, however, they match the appearance of natural teeth quite closely. This means that even a restoration in the front of the mouth may be virtually undetectable. And who wouldn’t like that?
3) Tooth-colored resins may allow more conservative treatment in decay removal.
In order to keep them securely in place, amalgam (silver) fillings may require “undercutting,” which removes more of the tooth structure. The process involved in bonding tooth-colored restorations, however, generally requires removal of less tooth material. This means a stronger base for rebuilding the tooth’s structure.
4) Different treatment methods are used for different degrees of tooth restoration.
Small cavities can be treated by direct “chairside” techniques, which are very similar to the methods used for traditional amalgam (silver) fillings: in one brief visit, it’s all done. When a greater volume of tooth structure must be replaced, we may be able to create a larger tooth-colored filling in a longer visit. Or, we might need to have a special restoration made to match your teeth; then, you can come back to have it securely bonded for a natural and long-lasting result.
5) Both amalgam and tooth-colored fillings are safe and effective.
Each has advantages and disadvantages in particular cases. But as the technology of tooth-colored filling systems evolves, some dental researchers have heralded the beginning of the “post-amalgam era.” Are tooth-colored fillings right for your individual situation? We’re the ones to ask.
If you would like more information about tooth-colored fillings, please contact Mansfield dentist Dr. Sandi Hamm at (817) 477-4441 and schedule an appointment. You can also learn more about this topic by reading the Dear Doctor magazine article “The Natural Beauty of Tooth-Colored Fillings.”
Braces have traditionally been seen as a “rite of passage” for teenagers, and while most teenagers learned to “em-brace” their orthodontics, in some situations, braces were less appealing. For example, like many people, you may have old prom and homecoming photos featuring beautiful dresses, tuxedos and a mouth full of metal braces.
Did you know that sports-related dental injuries account for more than 600,000 emergency room visits each year? As rewarding as it is to see your child score a touchdown, it is equally as terrifying to see him suffer through an injury, especially when that injury is preventable. Athletic mouthguards have been scientifically proven to be effective in helping to prevent dental injuries.
Jillian Michaels, personal trainer and star of television’s The Biggest Loser isn’t afraid of a tough situation — like a heart-pumping exercise routine that mixes kickboxing with a general cardio workout. But inside, she told an interviewer from Dear Doctor magazine, she’s really a softie, with “a drive to be one of the good guys.” In her hit TV shows, she tries to help overweight people get back to a healthy body mass. And in doing so, she comes face-to-face with the difficult issue of sleep apnea.
In a recent online poll conducted by Dear Doctor, the premier oral healthcare resource for consumers, 77% of those polled planned on visiting their dentist prior to their wedding. For some, this includes a thorough cleaning to remove stains and freshen both their smile and breath. However, a growing number of brides, grooms, and parents of the couple are seeking cosmetic dentistry or more specifically, a smile makeover, to transform their smile for their special day as well as their future.
A veneer is a thin layer of dental ceramic tooth-colored restorative material, usually made of porcelain, which replaces some of the tooth’s enamel and is physically bonded to it.
There’s a lot to like about dental implants, today’s state-of-the-art tooth-replacement system. We consider them the best choice for replacing missing teeth because implants are:
Do you snore? You can admit it. Most everyone does, from time to time. But if snoring becomes a frequent and disturbing feature of your nighttime routine, it may be more than just an annoyance. Did you know that excessive snoring — when accompanied by irritability and depression, daytime sleepiness and confusion, and/or several other physical and mood problems — is one of the common symptoms of a sleep-related breathing disorder (SRBD)?
The holidays are traditionally a time when friends and family from near and far can get together and make merry. In this joyful season, many folks look forward to re-connecting with old friends… and maybe making new ones. But if you’ve been hesitant to show your holiday smile because your teeth are less than pearly white — then why not stop fretting: Did you know that your teeth could be dramatically brighter after just one visit to the dental office?