Composite Fillings, the Discreet Fix to Tooth Decay

Years ago, the only option available for filling a cavity caused by tooth decay was a
metal amalgam filling. These fillings, while common, were aesthetically lacking and
often could cause long-term damage to the teeth they filled.

Metal fillings were silver in appearance and the material used was not very flexible
or forgiving. The rigidity of metal fillings can often lead to additional damage to your
teeth by causing them to break or crack over time as the metal filling fails to shift
with the natural movement and changes to your teeth and even the environment.

Metal fillings can also cause your teeth to become sensitive to hot and cold
temperatures over time or even cause your teeth to become discolored. It is not
uncommon for metal fillings to cause your teeth to gray after years of placement.

The good news is that metal amalgam fillings are a thing of the past. The Family
Dental Group now specializes in composite, tooth-colored fillings instead of metal
alternatives.

Composite fillings are an improvement over metal fillings in that the resin they are
made of closely resembles the strength and function of your natural tooth. And
because they can be made to match the color of your teeth, composite fillings are
hardly noticeable.

Finally, composite fillings are immediately ready for normal use. You don’t have
to wait for them to “set” for hours or even days like metal fillings require. Your
dentist cures composite fillings with heat, instantly. You can begin to eat and drink
immediately following your appointment, or at least after the anesthesia from your
procedure wears off.

Don’t let old metal fillings make you feel self-conscious or cause further damage to
your smile. Contact The Family Dental Group today to learn why we’ve switched to
composite, tooth-colored fillings.

To learn about our family dentistry practice in Hudson Valley, make an appointment.