Traditional fillings are made of a metal amalgam containing mercury. Some people feel this amalgam is unattractive, while others are concerned that it might be bad for their long-term health and might cause additional damage to their teeth, since it does not expand and contract the way tooth enamel does. As an alternative to metal amalgam, our cosmetic dentist serving Denver offers tooth-colored fillings.
Advantages of Tooth-Colored Fillings
Tooth-colored fillings are made of a composite material that can be color-matched to your natural tooth enamel. Whether you are in need of new dental work or wish to have your metal fillings replaced, composite fillings offer some advantages over traditional amalgam.
- Tooth-colored fillings do not contain mercury
- Composite fillings expand and contract with heat and cold
- Composite fillings bond with the tooth
- Tooth-colored fillings do not create dark areas in your smile
- Composite fillings do not conduct heat and cold, reducing sensitivity
Because of these advantages, many people are choosing tooth-colored fillings for routine repair of decay. Others choose tooth-colored materials for restoration of broken or misshapen teeth.
Restorations—Inlays and Onlays
Inlays and onlays are used in cosmetic dentistry to correct problems with the shape of the teeth. Your teeth might have been broken, they might be naturally asymmetrical, or you might have a tooth that is noticeably smaller or misshapen in comparison to the rest of your teeth. In these cases, inlays and onlays can be used to reshape the tooth, giving it a natural appearance or making it look more symmetrical with the rest of your teeth.
Composite, tooth-colored materials are used for this kind of restoration so that your repaired teeth will match the rest of your smile. If you have issues such as this with your teeth, contact our cosmetic dentistry team to discuss how tooth-colored restorations can help you regain confidence in your smile.