Dental fillings help restore teeth by repairing or preventing tooth decay. Cavities can cause pain or tenderness and, if left untreated, can cause additional long-term problems, such as infection. Indeed, once decay sets in a tooth, it continues to damage it more and more. Fillings can also be used to fill these holes and also repair chipped or broken teeth.
Composite (tooth-colored) fillings have become more popular than traditional fillings because of their more natural appearance. They are made from resin and can be molded to the shape of the teeth to be restored. The advantages of a composite over amalgam are aesthetics, stronger adhesion to natural tooth structures, minimal expansion and contraction of hot and cold foods, and the very significant absence of mercury..
As your tooth ages, metals expand and contract due to temperature changes!
Metals tend to flow and change shape under constant pressure.
Aging teeth can no longer flex as before because they are no longer flexible or supple. They do not support the constant expansion and contraction of the amalgam and with the flow of the metal they crack!
It is you and the dentist who decide what type of filling to use, taking into account various factors such as the size and location of the cavity, cosmetic concerns, and cost. Talk to your dentist about all of the options available for dental fillings before deciding which alternative is right for you.
