Almost 90% of adults will have a cavity at some point, and if you had one years ago, chances are you have a dark, silver filling in your mouth.

If it shows when you speak, laugh, or smile, it can be a cosmetic problem that makes you feel less inclined to show your teeth or feel relaxed around other people.

Or maybe your old filling has served its purpose and is just about due for replacement.
With the holidays just around the corner, it’s the perfect time to visit Shook Dental Care for a tooth-colored filling!

The Blessings Of Tooth-Colored Fillings

Here are five blessings of composite dental fillings our San Pedro patients appreciate:

*Safety*

Amalgam fillings are still used in dental practices everywhere, but in recent years, more and more patients are making the decision to replace their old silver fillings with composite fillings because they have concerns about sensitivities to metal.

If you’re worried about mercury or have metal sensitivity, you can have peace of mind with composite fillings instead.

*Adhesion*

Amalgam fillings have to be cemented to teeth for adequate adhesion. But the problem is that cement can wear away the longer you have that filling, creating plenty of spaces for bacteria to fester.

Composite fillings are bonded directly to teeth so harmful bacteria is less likely to penetrate the places where the filling meets the tooth.

*Flexibility*

Although it’s undetected by you, your teeth actually expand and contract when you put pressure on them. Metal doesn’t do that, so when you’re chewing food with a metal filling in your mouth, that tooth is ramming against the filling, increasing your chances of developing tooth fractures.

This can lead to decay, cavities, sensitivity, and pain.

The composite material in a tooth-colored filling, however, is more flexible and able to move with your teeth as you eat.

*Comfort*

Does a bite of hot, delicious stuffing at Thanksgiving dinner or the cold ice cream of your dessert á la mode make you wince in pain if it’s near your old filling?

Metal is a known conduit for heat and cold, so if you have a silver filling from years ago, you might have a lot of sensitivity to foods and drinks that are too hot or too cold.

A composite doesn’t respond to temperatures in quite the same way, so chewing your food won’t have to be adjusted depending on how hot or cold your food and drinks are.

*Appearance*

For the most part, you’re not going to have a dark, silver filling on one of your front teeth.
But that doesn’t mean it can’t be seen when you smile.

It’s easy to see those standout dark spots in your mouth when you laugh or smile, and that can be a source of embarrassment about your appearance.

Composite fillings are especially matched to the color of your tooth so it blends in discreetly for a brighter, more attractive smile.

Remove The Dark Spots In Your Smile!

If it’s been so long since you got those old, dark fillings, you can’t remember when it was, it could be time to replace them.

Or maybe you’re experiencing some pain or sensitivity due to problems with an old restoration.

Now is the time to visit your San Pedro dentist for tooth-colored fillings! Your smile won’t just be strong and healthy, but it will be bright and attractive for the holidays!

Call Shook Dental Care at 310-982-6333 or fill out our online form to schedule your appointment in San Pedro, CA.