Dental fillings are placed in teeth where a dentist has had to remove tooth structure due to decay or fracture. Filling materials can be made of silver amalgam, tooth-colored composite, or porcelain.
Fillings Over the Years
Dental fillings have been used by medical professionals to restore and repair teeth for centuries. When a dentist has to remove or replace tooth structure due to damage or decay, fillings have historically been the preferred solution. Advancements in dental technology over the last century, and even the last few years, have significantly improved the outcome and experience for dentists and their patients. Traditional silver amalgam fillings are now often being replaced by safer and more natural-looking composite filling materials, or in certain cases resins and porcelains.
A Safe Alternative to Silver Fillings
Composite fillings are generally safer than the traditional silver amalgam fillings, and often last longer as well. Silver fillings can be replaced with composite fillings here in our office, if you or child has old fillings that need to be replaced. While silver fillings tend to weaken the teeth they repaired, composite fillings work with your teeth to contract and stabilize them from within. Dr. McBeth can fit a patient with a filling in a single visit, so make an appointment with our receptionist if you are in need of a filling or consultation.
Decayed teeth require fillings to restore strength and health of natural teeth.
The decayed portion of the tooth is removed from the sound tooth structure.
Filling materials is shaped to match the look and feel of natural teeth. Traditionally, silver or amalgam material has been the filling of choice.
Today, many modern materials can be used to mimic the color and texture of natural teeth.
