23 Feb The Benefits of Composite Fillings
When considering how to fill a cavity, dentists will offer various types of tooth fillings to patients. These fillings offer different advantages and drawbacks with a patient’s needs and preferences determining which they will receive. In particular, the benefits of composite fillings have caused them to become a more common choice over other types.
Here at Prescott Dentistry, we take extra care to ensure that our patients receive the best results possible. Because of our focus on holistic, biomimetic dentistry which protects and restores your smile, our dental staff are filling experts and can guide you through the process.
What Are The Benefits of Composite Fillings?
Fillings are chosen based on several criteria which include appearance, durability, ease of implant, tooth health, health concerns, and price. Patients will often choose what’s most important to them and select fillings based on a few specific criteria. In most cases, however, composite fillings or composite resins offer a great set of benefits at a reasonable price.
- Appearance: Dentists can shade the color of composite fillings to match a patient’s natural teeth. This creates a more natural appearance for one’s smile. Compared to silver amalgam or gold fillings, it can be difficult to notice the filling at all.
- Durability: With good oral care, research on filling longevity has found that composite fillings can last for 10 or more years. This longevity is comparable to silver amalgam fillings, the next most common option, which typically last 15 years.
- Ease of implant: Typically, a composite filling will only require a single visit to be placed and bonded to one’s teeth. This is an advantage over more durable options such as gold and ceramic fillings which require two or more visits.
- Tooth health: When bonded to your teeth, composite fillings are less likely to cause a fracture in a tooth or wear down opposing teeth. Silver amalgam fillings are more likely to expand and contract over time, potentially cracking teeth during their lifetime. The porcelain of ceramic fillings may become rough over time, which can grind against the opposing tooth.
- Health concerns: Silver amalgam fillings contain mercury, which the fillings might release over time. This is why amalgam replacement is recommended, as mercury can cause damage to the brain, liver, and kidney. Composite fillings are typically the safest and easiest replacement option.
- Price: While more expensive than silver amalgam fillings, composite fillings are significantly cheaper than gold and ceramic fillings. With good dental care and coverage, composite fillings have a manageable cost over a patient’s lifetime.
When considering all of these factors, composite fillings are the best option in most cases. While more expensive than silver amalgam, composite fillings are reasonably durable, appear more natural, and are less likely to cause further damage. These fillings have reasonable prices compared to most other options. Only silver amalgams can beat the price of composite fillings. However, silver amalgams contain mercury and lose out on a natural appearance.
In Need of a Cavity Filling?
If you’ve realized that you have a cavity instead of just a tooth stain, it’s important to take immediate steps to treat it. Cavities allow further decay of the teeth as long as they remain unfilled. Thankfully, here at Prescott Dentistry, our dental care staff are leading professionals in biomimetic dentistry that can help restore your teeth. Contact us today at (928) 445-1660 and schedule an appointment so we can begin treating your smile with the care it deserves.
Photo by Mufid Majnun on Unsplash.