Tooth-Colored Fillings in Spring Valley, NY

Dental cavities can be very bad news for a tooth. They are generally treated with a filling to prevent the decay from worsening and further threatening the health of the tooth. Years ago, the most common material used for dental fillings was amalgam. While this material was effective at treating the cavity, it had an unattractive appearance as the silver was very conspicuous in the mouth. Also, there were concerns about the safety of using silver that could potentially contain mercury in the body. Today, a more popular option in treating cavities is with tooth-colored fillings. Main Street Dental Care offers this restorative treatment in Spring Valley, NY.

Benefits of tooth-colored fillings

Tooth-colored fillings use a material called composite resin. This material is fairly durable and has good resistance to fracturing for small- to mid-size fillings. They can be used on the front or the back teeth because they can withstand the moderate pressure that results from chewing. Because they can be colored to match the shade of the neighboring teeth, composite fillings produce a natural restoration. They also require less of the tooth structure to be removed, which preserves more of your natural tooth.

Procedure

The tooth will be numbed before being treated with a filling. Your dentist will then remove the decay from the tooth and clean it before placing the filling material on it. It will be shaped to fit with the bite of the teeth before being hardened. Composite fillings can also be placed to treat a chipped tooth.

Cavity prevention

Better than either amalgam or tooth-colored fillings is no filling at all. You can avoid this treatment entirely by keeping good oral care habits. These include:

• Brushing twice a day using a fluoride toothpaste
• Flossing daily
• Maintaining a balanced diet (with limited consumption of foods and drinks high in sugar)
• Keeping regular appointments at your dentist in Spring Valley, NY for routine cleanings and check-ups

It can be challenging to keep up these habits, especially for young children, but it is worth the effort to enjoy strong, healthy teeth and to avoid getting tooth-colored fillings. For assistance in maintaining your oral health, Main Street Dental Care is happy to help in Spring Valley, NY.