McKinney Dentist | Why Are Tooth-Colored Fillings So Common?

If you asked everyone you know about their history of dental treatment, you may find that dental fillings are the most commonly performed dental restoration. That’s due to many reasons, including the fact that tooth decay is the most frequently occurring dental health concern. At our McKinney, TX, dental office, we use tooth-colored composite resin to create fillings that allow us to treat tooth decay and cavities with optimal discretion. With their more lifelike appearance and biocompatible nature, tooth-colored fillings are becoming increasingly more common than ever for treating mild to moderate cavities.

Because cavities affect a majority of people

To understand the point of dental fillings, and the benefits of tooth-colored ones, it helps to understand the nature of the tooth decay that they’re meant to treat. Decay affects nearly 90% of adults at least once in their lives, and fillings are the most effective way for treating it in its early and moderate stages. Fortunately, treating a cavity with a tooth-colored filling helps you preserve a maximum amount of your tooth’s healthy, natural structure, which minimizes the overall affect that treatment has on your tooth’s structural integrity.

Because people want a better-looking solution

Before tooth-colored fillings became so common, the most popular filling material was an amalgam made from various metals, including silver. Metal amalgam is a strong and durable substance, which makes it somewhat effective at withstanding bite pressure over time. However, it’s also highly noticeable, and one of the main reasons people prefer composite resin fillings is because they blend in discreetly with their natural tooth color. This allows you to treat your cavity and restore your tooth without anyone noticing it whenever you speak or smile.

Because dentists prefer the long-term advantages

While more patients prefer tooth-colored fillings because of their appearance, dentists appreciate its biocompatibility even more. For example, composite resin doesn’t contain any metal, which means it won’t pose a risk to patients with metal allergies, pregnant women, the elderly, or the young. It also retains its shape the entire time it resides within your cavity, which means it won’t expand or contract and place your tooth at risk down the line. With a tooth-colored filling, your dentist can treat your cavity in a way that dramatically reduces your risks of needing further treatment, such as root canal therapy, in the future.

Benefit from a tooth-colored filling

If you have a cavity, then find out how your tooth and smile benefit from treatment with a tooth-colored filling. To learn more, schedule a consultation by calling Illume Dental in McKinney, TX, today at (469) 301-1255. We also proudly serve patients who live in Allen, Plano, Frisco, and all surrounding communities.