A Look into Why White Tooth Colored Fillings Have Taken Over the Dental World

Tooth decay is incredibly common. In fact, it is estimated that around 90% of adults in the United States have had at least one cavity in their lifetime, with about a quarter of this group having untreated cavities. The go-to treatment for cavities is a dental filling. Today, dentists use a white filling instead of the metal amalgam fillings of the past. There are reasons why dentists like Dr. Brian Gradinger, DMD in Valencia, California, have moved to using this form of filling.

Here are just a couple of ways a white filling is better for you.

Mercury Free

When looking at the composition of a metal amalgam filling, about 50% of this type of filling is mercury, a metal that has long been associated with health risks. Other metals within an amalgam filling include silver, tin, zinc, and copper. While metal amalgam fillings are debated about their safety, young children, pregnant or breastfeeding women, and those with neurological or kidney problems should absolutely avoid these fillings due to them containing mercury. What we do know is that mercury is toxic, so why choose to put anything in your body which is composed of it? Not only are white fillings mercury free, but they are completely metal free.

Discreet In Nature

A pronounced benefit of white fillings is that they are not obvious. The materials which compose a white filling can be tinted to blend in with the surrounding tooth. Because of this, they are often referred to as tooth-colored fillings. Your white filling will maintain the aesthetics of a healthy, beautiful smile. This is unlike an amalgam filling, which will turn dark. Once your white filling has been placed, it will be near impossible to see the seam where the tooth material ends and the filling starts.

If you believe you have a cavity that requires a filling, you can reach out to Dr. Brian Gradinger, DMD, for an appointment by calling (661) 450-6650 today.