When you think of a dental filling, what image comes to your mind? If it is a silver spot in the midst of a white tooth, you may be excited to learn that many dentists, including your Reno dentists, Dr. William Wager and Dr. Brian Evans, are leaving silver (amalgam) fillings behind in favor of white dental fillings made out of a material called composite resin. Durable and tooth-colored, composite resin is also used in a treatment called cosmetic bonding, which can repair and resurface teeth. The material, therefore, is very durable and produces excellent cosmetic results. In fact, composite resin can be tinted to match the exact shade of the tooth or teeth to which it is being applied, meaning your dental filling will not detract from your smile.
In addition to the improvements they produce in cosmetic results, white dental fillings require the removal of less of the tooth’s structure than do amalgam fillings. They also make a great option for people with mercury sensitivities as they contain no mercury whatsoever (unlike amalgam fillings). Lastly, composite resin fillings are not made of metal and thus do not carry the same risk for cracking and leaking as they age. Continue reading “The Benefits of White Dental Fillings”