A filling is a way to restore a damaged tooth back to its normal function and shape. When you get a filling, the dentist will remove the decayed material from the tooth, clean the affected area, and then fill the area with a material designed for fillings. There are many types of filling material available, ranging from gold to porcelain.
What are Tooth Fillings?
Tooth-colored fillings, white fillings and composite resin fillings are all names for the high-strength, natural-looking composite resin fillings that can be placed today instead of silver (also known as amalgam fillings) or gold. No matter what the name, Family Dental Group dentists will know just what you’re talking about when referring to this natural-looking filling.
Call us at (406) 541-2886 or request an appointment online so we can discuss the benefits of tooth-colored fillings and how they can help improve your smile.
Replacing Old Fillings
Sometimes fillings are worn, cracked, or have new decay near or around them. These fillings need to be replaced. Patients have the option to replace silver and gold fillings with a more natural looking tooth-colored composite resin filling material. Composite resin fillings are bonded to the tooth structure and resemble the natural tooth.
Other Benefits:
- Beautiful in appearance
- Completed in a single visit
- Less leakage between the filling and the tooth
- Less chance of tooth cracking
Strong and Natural Looking
Tooth-colored fillings are made from a high-strength composite resin that can be color-matched to your natural tooth making it nearly invisible to you or anyone else. Unlike silver and gold fillings, composite tooth-colored fillings actually bond to the tooth, meaning the filling supports the surrounding tooth structure, which can help prevent tooth fracture.
How Much do Tooth Colored Fillings Cost?
As with every dental procedure, prices vary depending on each person’s unique treatment situation; but, tooth-colored fillings generally cost more than silver fillings. Most patients still prefer tooth-colored fillings even with the higher cost; the price differences are worth it because of the natural appearance and aesthetic quality of composite fillings.
Don’t Count Silver & Gold Out Completely
Silver and gold fillings (gold inlays or onlays) have been around for a very long time, and to this day, they do an excellent job in filling teeth. Tooth-colored fillings are, by far, a patient’s first choice as a filling material because they are more natural looking. This doesn’t mean tooth-colored fillings are the best choice in every situation; silver fillings still have several benefits. In situations where a tooth requires a large filling and other treatment options such as a porcelain crown is not financially possible, a silver filling might be your best treatment option because of the structural qualities of the metals themselves. Composite fillings generally can’t withstand the forces exerted on them if they have to cover a very large area. Silver fillings generally cost less than tooth-colored fillings, and patients that need fillings in back teeth often consider silver fillings.
