If you are going to get a filling at your next dental appointment, it’s important to consider your options. In the past, you didn’t have much of a choice about what type of filling you would receive. Metal amalgam was the norm. However, now that we’ve stopped using metal amalgam, there are several options for fillings that look attractive and are healthy for your teeth.
Of all the filling options, ceramic fillings are the best.
Stronger and More Durable
Tooth-colored fillings come in two main types: resin composite and ceramic. Resin composite fillings are soft plastic that is blended with ceramic or glass to help make them stronger. They bond with your teeth, helping to seal a cavity against leakage to prevent decay around the filling. But, in general, they don’t last as long as other fillings, such as metal amalgam.
Ceramic fillings, on the other hand, are made of advanced materials that are much stronger than pretty much any other ceramic you’re used to. When these ceramics bond to your teeth, they not only create a good seal, they can actually restore lost strength to your tooth. Additionally, these fillings are highly durable–they can last even longer than metal amalgam.
Ceramic Fillings are Beautiful
We shouldn’t focus too much on the beauty of ceramic fillings, but we have to mention it at least in passing. They are gorgeous, so much like your natural tooth enamel that many people can’t tell the difference between them and your natural teeth.
Their beauty endures, too. While resin fillings can become discolored in a relatively short period of time, ceramic fillings are sealed against staining compounds in the mouth. As a result, they maintain their beauty for years, even decades.
They’re Holistic
There are several reasons why dentists steer away from metal amalgam fillings. One of the concerns is that they contain mercury which is toxic. Although the FDA claims that amalgam fillings are perfectly safe, there is still the risk that mercury leaks from the fillings. Ceramic fillings, on the other hand, are safe and use non-toxic materials.
Not only are ceramic fillings toxic-free, but they’re better for your teeth as well. Amalgam fillings can slowly expand over a period of time. The expansion puts pressure against the walls inside your teeth and can eventually cause cracks in the tooth. In addition, it will make the filling hole larger which will require a larger replacement. In the end, amalgam fillings result in a less natural tooth structure. The less natural tooth structure your teeth have, the less strength they have.
Amalgam fillings are also known to expand and contract when coming into contact with hot or cold temperatures. For instance, if you drink any icy cold drink, the amalgam filling will contract. This means there will be empty space inside your tooth while the filling contracts. On the other hand, if you drink something hot like coffee, the filling will expand. This puts excess pressure on the walls of your mouth which can cause pain and cracks.
Ceramic fillings don’t expand or contract, and they don’t leak. When you get a ceramic filling, you can feel secure knowing it won’t cause further dental problems. If you’re searching for the most holistic filling choice, steer clear of amalgam fillings and opt for ceramic fillings instead.
If you currently have metal fillings, our Columbus dentist is happy to remove them and replace them with a more holistic approach—mercury-free ceramic fillings.
Preventive Dentistry in Columbus is Best For Your Teeth
As good as ceramic fillings are, they’re still not as good as your natural tooth enamel. We encourage all our patients to focus on protecting their natural teeth with good oral hygiene at home and regular dental checkups. That way, you don’t need fillings and you can keep enjoying the natural beauty of your teeth for a lifetime. We even offer Perio Protect, a remarkable approach to treating gum disease that can dramatically improve the health of your gums.
If you are looking for a dentist in Columbus, OH that can help with a full range of preventive and restorative dentistry, please call (614) 848-5001 for an appointment with Dr. Michael Firouzian at Firouzian Dentistry.
