For patients who experience cavities (a product of tooth decay), the most common treatment is often to clean and fill the cavity with biocompatible material. These days, that material often consists of composite resin, which can be tinted to match the color and shade of your tooth structure, unlike metal fillings. In addition, to their more lifelike appearance, tooth-colored fillings also benefit your tooth and oral health in several other, less visible ways, and can also improve the long-term health and integrity of your tooth.

Why the fillings are tooth-colored

The biocompatible materials that go into making composite dental resin are the main factor in why they’re so highly customizable. Unlike metal, the resin can be tinted to match your tooth’s healthy appearance, allowing it to blend in discreetly with your tooth after it’s been placed. For patients with cavities in highly visible areas of their teeth, this ability is one of the more important ones. Without worrying about how a metal filling will make their tooth look, more patients are motivated to treat their cavities as soon as possible and avoid the potential for more severe tooth problems.

Other biocompatible properties

Their discreet ability to blend in with your smile makes tooth-colored fillings a more cosmetically appealing option for treating a cavity. However, their biocompatible nature makes them much more than just cosmetically preferable. For example, composite resin is designed to bond securely to your tooth structure, making it a highly durable restoration and offering better protection for your tooth in the long run. Also, once the resin conforms to your cavity and is hardened in placed, it will retain its shape for many years, continuing its protection of your tooth longer than metal fillings are able to.

The long-term benefits to your oral health

Treating a cavity as soon as possible is important both for your tooth and for the long-term state of your oral health. The longer you wait, the more intensive the decay in your tooth will become, and in more severe cases, a tooth filling won’t be enough to remove the infection and save the tooth. With their ability to offer more reliable protection for your tooth, tooth-colored fillings can often reduce the risks of experiencing more severe decay and requiring more extensive restorative treatment in the future.

Learn about the benefits of tooth-colored fillings

Tooth-colored fillings don’t just look more natural, but can also treat and protect a tooth with a cavity more effectively than metal fillings. To learn more, schedule a consultation by calling the Dental Centre of Conroe in Conroe, TX, today at (936) 441-4600. We serve patients from Conroe and all neighboring communities.