Cosmetics fillings are used to rectify areas of decay in a tooth. The damaged part of the tooth is not removed & after a thorough cleaning, it is replaced with a filling. These are less noticeable than amalgam fillings and they improve the appearance of your smile. Dental cement is a blend with the natural tooth not only in strength but also in its looks so that it is hard to recognize a foreign material placed
in the tooth. There is obviously no danger of metal sensitivity. These fillings can last for more than 11 years or more compared to other types of fillings.Older metal fillings can be easily replaced with more attractive coloured fillings. Tooth-coloured fillings are available in a wide range of shades and translucencies so we are able to blend them perfectly with the shade of your natural tooth enamel. These tooth-coloured fillings eliminate any worries about cosmetic appearance as they let you smile freely, without the concern of exposing dark silver amalgam fillings. When cosmetic fillings fail, they are easily removed and replaced with another cosmetic filling (because comparatively less tooth structure must be removed to place a cosmetic filling, which means more natural tooth structure survives). The fillings are very strong, which is especially important for back teeth that must withstand extreme bite forces. Modern tooth-coloured fillings are not only very strong but they form a strong bond directly with your teeth. This quality gives the filling extra strength as well as reducing the chance of bacteria getting between the filling and enamel. White composite fillings are incredibly popular with dental patients because they look clean and natural and they do not shrink with age like amalgam fillings. As a matter of convenience, a dental patient may be pleasantly surprised to find that the composite filling they have just had placed is fully cured (hardened) and ready for use. Relatively speaking, dental amalgam fillings require long duration before they approach full strength.
Authored By Dr. Vinamra Dhariwal - Dentist, Chennai
