{"id":181,"date":"2019-10-13T15:49:00","date_gmt":"2019-10-13T15:49:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.mcknightdental.com\/blog\/?p=181"},"modified":"2021-01-07T20:07:21","modified_gmt":"2021-01-07T20:07:21","slug":"tooth-colored-fillings-benefits","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mcknightdental.com\/blog\/2019\/10\/tooth-colored-fillings-benefits\/","title":{"rendered":"Should You Replace Your Old Metal Fillings With Tooth-Colored Ones?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"dentist<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Amalgam fillings are made from a mixture of metals, including mercury, silver, tin, and copper. They first started being administered as cavity treatments in the 1830s and began to fade out in the 1990s because so many health risks were reported. That\u2019s when advances in dental technology birthed tooth-colored fillings, a safer, more durable, and easier to administer alternative that professionals quickly dubbed the new popular cavity treatment. If you still have a metal filling and haven\u2019t gotten it replaced, read on for some aesthetic and health factors to consider.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Are Amalgam Fillings Bad For Your Health?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Amalgam fillings consist of several liquid metals such as\nmercury, silver, tin, and copper. As time goes by, the filling releases low\nlevels of mercury in the form of vapor into your mouth, which is then inhaled\nand absorbed by your lungs. This can impact the function of the brain and\nkidneys. These fillings have also been shown to affect the development of\nfetuses and young children, which is why they\u2019re not recommended for pregnant\nwomen or children under six. While the treatment is still approved by the FDA,\nthey offer an extensive\nlist of possible risks on their website. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are Tooth-Colored Fillings Made of?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Tooth-colored\nfillings<\/a> are completely metal-free. Dentists use a composite resin material\nthat is made from fine particles of glass, acrylic, and plastic. The putty-like\nsubstance is biocompatible and easily forms to fill decayed teeth, sealing off\nthe sensitive inner-structure and protecting it from additional damage. The\nresin is custom-selected to match the color of your natural tooth enamel so the\ntreatment is virtually unnoticeable to the naked eye, beautifully blending in\nwith the rest of your smile. Because it has such a sturdy bond with natural\nteeth, it provides additional strength and an air-tight seal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are the Benefits of Tooth-Colored Fillings? <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Professionals have gravitated towards this safer alternative\nto treat cavities because it\u2019s the best choice for their patients oral and\noverall health. An obvious benefit for patients is that tooth-colored fillings\nare attractive and seamlessly camouflage and incorporate into the smile, that\nway nobody will be able to tell that you\u2019ve had a cavity treated. Using composite\nresin instead of a metal mixture also provides additional benefits, such as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n