Tooth-Colored Fillings – State College, PA
Seamless Repair Damaged or Decayed Teeth
Tooth-colored fillings cross the boundary between restorative and cosmetic dentistry. They restore a tooth damaged by dental caries (decay) and they blend in seamlessly with your natural tooth color.
Of course, this ideal combination was not always the case. For most of history, fillings were dark and unsightly. Now, however, Dr. Marks can use composite resin for tooth-colored fillings in State College, PA.
The History of Dental Fillings
Believe it or not, man has been trying to find the best way to repair damaged teeth for thousands of years! Human remains from 7,500 to 9,000 years ago were found in Pakistan, showing evidence of teeth that had some kind of filling material in them. And archaeologists also discovered 6,500-year-old remains near Trieste, Italy with fillings made of beeswax.
As time marched on, other materials were used. In the nineteenth century, metals such gold and silver were pressed into teeth. Later in the same century, mercury was added to the mix to make the metals more pliable. Mercury is a heavy metal that can leach into the body through both the respiratory and circulatory systems. Although controversial, the use of mercury is commonly discouraged nowadays because it may be linked to a number of diseases.
Your Smile and Tooth-Colored Fillings
Today, Dr. Marks fills cavities with tooth-colored fillings made of composite resin—a substance that is superior to metal, to say nothing of beeswax! Composite resin consists of medical grade plastics and glass. Using a color chart, Dr. Marks selects the shade that most closely matches the natural color of your tooth. Once in place, it is impossible to see the line between filling and tooth.
In addition, tooth-colored fillings in State College are strong and durable. They can be used to repair any tooth, including molars that must endure the daily pressures of biting and chewing. To place a tooth-colored filling, Dr. Marks anesthetizes your tooth and gently drills away any decay and debris. Then, the filling is placed. Unlike a metal or amalgam filling that rests between the cusps of a tooth, a composite resin filling actually bonds to the remaining tooth structure. In this way, the tooth is fortified. Because of this bond, liquid cannot seep between the edge of the filling and your tooth, causing cracks or weakening of the tooth. Finally, a tooth-colored filing does not conduct heat or cold temperatures the way a metal filling can, so you never have to worry about tooth sensitivity.
