Tooth Colored Fillings

When decay rots away enamel, the resulting space is called a cavity. Left untreated, the decay will eventually cause extensive damage to the tooth, and potentially cause the root to be infected. However, if the cavity is caught early, a simple filling can be done without increasing the potential of having a root canal treatment.

After the decay is removed, the filling is applied in layers and hardened with a special light. The final layers are shaped and polished to restore the tooth’s appearance and function.

Composite (plastic resin) is the modern filling material of choice in most cases. Silver amalgam fillings contain small amounts of mercury, while composite fillings are completely free of mercury. And since the composite material closely matches the colour of the tooth, fillings are nearly invisible. However silver amalgam fillings have a greater longitivity. Composite fillings need to be replaced more frequently.