Tooth Colored Fillings

Almost everyone will be faced with addressing a cavity in a tooth at some point in life. Cavities are the most common dental problem, and millions of dental fillings are placed each year to stop cavities and strengthen teeth. While patients formerly had no choice when it came to the type or color of their fillings, there are new techniques available now which make fillings far less unsightly, especially in highly visible areas.

One way to reduce the visibility of fillings is to use new tooth colored fillings. These new fillings are made of resin or porcelain, which can easily be tinted to match the tooth’s natural color. Once the filling is set and polished, it is virtually indistinguishable from the other parts of the tooth.

In the past, dental fillings were made of a mixture of a metal, often silver, and other fillers to give strength. This metallic mixture worked well for fillings because it was highly resistant to decay, hardened quickly, and offered great protection for the affected tooth. Dentist performed filling procedure with relative ease, and the metal mixture used to fill cavities was easily available.

However, in recent years, tooth colored fillings have become popular. These retorations do not use metal but instead rely on other strong materials, such as fiberglass, to give them support and strength. Like metal fillings, they are very resistant to decay, but they also have the added benefit of being invisible in the mouth, and tooth colored fillings do not tend to react with metals. Often, metal fillings cause a sharp sensation in the mouth if they are touched by other metals.

West Hollywood dentist, Dr. Poneh Ghasri can discuss with you the choice between metal and tooth-colored fillings and help you decide which is right for you. There are advantages to both types as well as disadvantages, so be sure to talk with Dr. Ghasri before you decide.

You can call our office anytime to make an appointment with Dr. Ghasri, cosmetic dentist in West Hollywood, to discuss your filling needs and options. Dr. Ghasri will give you all the information you need to make an informed decision about your next filling procedure.