When are Tooth Colored Fillings the Best Option?

If you have a cavity, the first step will be our cosmetic dentist in West Hollywood drilling the decayed portion of the tooth away. The next step will be the dentist restoring your tooth with a dental filling. You will likely be able to choose from several different filling options. In many instances, the tooth colored filling will be your best option.

From a purely aesthetical point of view, tooth colored fillings are usually the best option. These fillings are also known as composite fillings. They are made from a mixture of plastic and glass, and can be made to match the shade of your natural tooth. This reason is why composite fillings are almost always used in front teeth or visible parts of your other teeth. Because they are bonded to the tooth, they actually provide your tooth with additional support. In many cases, less tooth structure needs to be removed in order to place composite fillings, as opposed to amalgam fillings. And while the traditional logic was to always use amalgam for the rear teeth that experience the most biting pressure, it has been found that composite fillings are able to withstand these pressures as well. While a composite filling may not last as long as an amalgam filling and may be slightly more expensive, the benefits usually outweigh these considerations.

If you think you may have a cavity that needs to be filled, contact our expert in tooth colored fillings in West Hollywood to set up an appointment.