Tooth-colored fillings in Marshall,
Sometimes, you’ve got to take the bad news with the good news from your dentist in Marshall, Dr. Charlie Parker. He may tell you that you have a cavity—the bad news—but the good news is he can repair that decay with a tooth-colored filling. Dr. Parker prefers to use these because they not only look much better than metal fillings, they are also stronger and healthier for you. Made of composite resin material, a tooth-colored filling may be the best news you hear all day!
Fillings of Yesteryear
Dentists have been tending to tooth decay for centuries. Actually, archaeologists found human remains dating back some 9,000 years that have molars with evidence of some kind of filling material. It wasn’t until the 19th century that dentistry began to uses metals for fillings. Silver, gold and tin were all softened and pressed into prepared teeth. Then, later in the same century, mercury was added to the mix to make the metals stronger. No sooner was mercury added than people became concerned about the health consequences of this heavy metal that can leach into the blood and respiratory systems.
How Cavities Happen
If you eat and drink, then you’re susceptible to tooth decay—it’s that simple. With every bite you take the oral bacteria in your mouth feed on the tiny particles of food that get left behind in your mouth. And although you brush and floss your teeth every day, twice a day, this practice is sometimes not enough to prevent the acids that bacteria excrete from causing a cavity in one of your teeth. Molars are most susceptible to having cavities because of their deep pits and grooves that makes them perfect for gnashing foods.
Tooth-Colored Fillings in Marshall
Today, Dr. Parker almost exclusively uses tooth-colored fillings in Marshall. Because they are made of composite resin material—a combination of medical grade plastics and powdered glass filler—they are equally as strong as their metal counterparts and offer the distinct advantage of bonding to the remaining tooth structure. For a metal filling, the decayed portion of tooth is removed and the filling is wedged into place. Consequently, there was always the risk of cracking and leakage around the filling. A tooth-colored filling, on the other hand, is adhesively bonded to your tooth. This action prevents leaking and also helps to distribute the pressure of chewing throughout the entire tooth structure thereby reducing the risk of a cracked tooth.
To care for a tooth that has a composite resin filling, you only need to brush and floss just as you do for your other teeth. With proper hygiene and regular checkups from you dentist near me, you can expect your tooth-colored filling to last for many years.