What Are Tooth Colored Fillings and Should I Get Them?

Tooth colored fillings, also called composite resin fillings, are a type of dental filling that are more natural looking and are highly durable. They’re a great option if you want to have fillings that look natural and are hard to distinguish from your normal teeth. However, there are some downsides to tooth colored fillings that you need to be aware of before you decide they’re the option you want.

They Look Great

The biggest reason to get tooth colored fillings is because they look great. You won’t have to worry about having some oddly colored metal filling or filling that doesn’t quite match the rest of your mouth. If you need several fillings, you may prefer that they’re not noticeable. Because of this, tooth colored fillings are actually the norm now, though gold or amalgam fillings are still an option.

They’re Durable

No filling is going to last forever, but tooth colored fillings are designed to withstand a good amount of pressure and to be resistant to fracturing. There’s still the chance that you’ll bite down on something hard and crack the filling or that a blow to the face will knock it loose, but that can happen to any type of filling. Some studies have suggested that tooth colored fillings aren’t quite as durable as amalgam fillings, though.

Check Your Insurance First

Some insurance plans actually don’t cover composite resin fillings, so make certain yours does before you decide it’s what you want. If your plan doesn’t cover tooth colored fillings, you can always pay out of pocket if other types of fillings don’t work for you.

The Process Is Longer

Finally, while it’s not a big concern, you should know that the process of installing a tooth colored filling is a little longer than the process for other types of fillings. This is mainly due to the fact that the tooth much be kept dry and clean while the filling is put into place.

If you’re in need of a filling and want to know more about tooth colored fillings, contact James R. Anderson, DDS, today.