White Fillings Blend In With Your Natural Smile
White fillings are used to fill and treat cavities. This method of filling cavities has become a popular, go-to option for patients and dentists for many reasons. One of the major benefits of white fillings is that it is formulated to match the shade of your teeth, so it is virtually unnoticeable.
White fillings are made of a dental composite of resin. These resins are mixed to match the color of teeth, creating an ideal aesthetic when filling cavities. The benefits of white fillings goes beyond cosmetic, though.
White fillings bond directly to the tooth, which means that they have the ability to fill in cavity spaces more completely. As such, white fillings can also effectively fill in spaces where the tooth is chipped or broken. In many cases, the nature of the application of white fillings reduces any need to drill teeth first.
White fillings also resist corrosion, which is a great benefit for the consumption of foods with higher acidity. It is, however, important to be aware of habits such as grinding, which may wear down the filling.
In the past, the predominant method used to fill cavities was with silver fillings. Many dentists and patients now prefer the white filling method for front-facing, visible teeth because of the cosmetic benefits. Silver fillings are still used when treating cavities in the molars and premolars, because these teeth are frequently used for heavy chewing and biting.
Silver fillings are silver in color, so they do not match the color of your teeth. The process of installing silver filling is also much more involved, including the need to drill down the tooth to make space for the filling.
In addition to being natural-looking, white fillings generally feel more natural and are more comfortable to have. Because they bond directly on teeth, they are more stable and do not cause sensitivity issues that can occur with silver fillings.