Cavities are one of the most common dental problems experienced by children as well as adults. One of the priorities at Smile Brighter Willoughby Hills is to help patients of all ages avoid painful, unattractive dental problems. Our team works with patients on an individual basis, understanding that each smile has unique needs. Though the goal is to prevent cavities, Dr. Stern also offers outstanding care for cavity repair with an eye for the preservation of a natural appearance.
For much of the history of dentistry, some sort of metal has been used to repair damaged teeth. At first, gold was the material of choice. Gold achieves some of the longest lasting restorations. The price of this material, however, posed a challenge. Early in the history of modern dentistry, amalgam took the place of gold for the repair of cavities. Amalgam is still widely used today, but this treatment has disadvantages.
The primary concern with amalgam dental fillings is that they end up not being as silver as they are perceived to be. Called silver fillings for many, many years, amalgam restorations are only silver in color for a relatively short time. As the filling material ages, it becomes dark and more visible in the smile. In this age of image-consciousness, dark spots in the smile are simply unacceptable. Fortunately, this problem can be avoided with composite resin fillings.
Composite resin is a wonderful alternative to amalgam fillings for several reasons. The benefit most recognized by patients is the natural appearance. The glass and resin is mixed to match the color of surrounding tooth material so that the restoration doesn’t stand out from natural teeth. In addition to aesthetics, there are other advantages to tooth-colored, composite resin fillings.
Composite fillings are very conservative in nature, requiring minimal alteration of tooth structure. When this type of filling is used, only the damaged material is removed, nothing else. Composite material is placed into the prepared area and is shaped to accommodate a comfortable fit with the opposing tooth. A special light then cures the resin, hardening it immediately. This process is not only conservative but also excellent for longevity due to the tightness of margins achieved between the tooth and the filling.
Although our first priority is to prevent cavities, when a cavity is detected, you need not worry about the natural appearance of your smile. With composite resin fillings, we’ve got you covered. Call the Smile Brighter Willoughby Hills office today to schedule your visit.
In the 44061 area, your dentist can repair cavities without changing the look of the smile
