Benefits of Tooth-Colored Fillings

Tooth-colored fillings, one of the cosmetic dentistry treatments provided by your dentists in Alexandria, VA, Dr. Paul Gibberman, Dr. Lauren Gibberman and Dr. Josephine Salumbides of Gibberman Dental, give your restored tooth a more natural appearance. The fillings offer several benefits that make them a good choice when you have a cavity.

How tooth-colored fillings can help your smile

Tooth-colored fillings are made of composite resin, a material that's tinted to match common tooth shades. Although your filling is soft when it's placed in your tooth, it becomes just as hard as your tooth enamel when exposed to a curing light.

The fillings, a common cosmetic dentistry option in Alexandria, VA, offer these advantages:

  • More Attractive Smile: If you don't like the thought of flashing your dental work every time you open your mouth, you'll appreciate the more subtle appearance of tooth-colored fillings. In fact, no one will be able to tell that you've had a cavity, thanks to your composite resin filling.
  • Stronger Tooth: Placing a filling involves removing a certain amount of healthy tooth structure surrounding the decayed area. Although this is a crucial step, it can weaken your tooth a little. Your dentist will only need to remove a small margin of healthy structure when adding a tooth-colored filling to your tooth, which will keep your tooth stronger. Composite resin also bonds to your tooth resin, further strengthening your tooth.
  • Reduced Risk of Cracks: Silver amalgam contracts and expands when you eat or drink hot or cold foods and drinks. Over the years, frequent contraction and expansion can weaken your tooth and increase the risk that it will crack. Cracks in teeth can lead to breaks or new cavities. If a crack is large and extends into your root, removing the tooth may be the only option. Fortunately, tooth-colored fillings help you avoid these unfortunate consequences.
  • No Mercury: Mercury, one of the metals used to make silver amalgam fillings, was a subject of controversy in the past, due to concerns about health risks. Although the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has determined that silver amalgam fillings are safe for people over age 6, you may still feel more comfortable with a mercury-free tooth-colored filling.

Do you need a filling or another cosmetic dentistry procedure? Call your Alexandria, VA, dentists, Drs. Paul and Lauren Gibberman and Dr. Salumbides of Gibberman Dental, at (703) 823-6616 to schedule an appointment.

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