In this article we talk about cosmetic fillings for front teeth. They are modern white fillings that resemble the color of natural teeth, to restore function and the cosmetic look of teeth affected by decay, breakage and the like. Their aim is to treat the cavity and prevent further decay, which leads to severe pain and threatens the tooth or molar. The tooth is then filled with silver or cosmetic fillings. Here are more details.
Types of cosmetic fillings
There are different types of cosmetic fillings, which can be identified as follows:
Silver amalgam filling
There are several types of fillings available, and the most common is silver amalgam, the traditional filling that appears in most tooth cavities, especially those at the back of the mouth such as molars or wisdom teeth.
Resin filling
Alongside traditional silver, there are two other filling options for anyone who wants cosmetic fillings. The first is composite resin: composite resin fillings are mainly used on front teeth and can be shaded to match the rest of the visible teeth.
Ceramic filling
The ceramic filling option can be used in a number of applications, including crowns, veneers and full-mouth restorations, and the dentist can choose the type of cosmetic filling that suits the patient’s teeth. In general, the use of traditional fillings has become very limited since ceramic and composite resin fillings appeared.
The difference between cosmetic fillings and silver fillings
For decades, silver fillings were the most common and widespread. They were made of amalgam, which contains small amounts of mercury. Over time, it has been shown that there are several potential harms from mercury building up as it leaks from fillings into the body.
This harm includes damage to some body tissues, such as:
- Brain tissue.
- Reproductive organ tissue.
- Kidney tissue.
- On the other hand, cosmetic filler is safe in terms of its ingredients and does not cause any long-term harm.
- Cosmetic fillings also differ from silver amalgam fillings in appearance, because their look is more in keeping with the look of the teeth.
Advantages of cosmetic fillings
In the search for cosmetic fillings for front teeth, cosmetic fillings have several different advantages, which can be set out as follows:
- Cosmetic dental fillings bond with the tooth surface to increase the strength and cohesion of the teeth, and they are set with light or ultraviolet rays, unlike silver fillings, which take effort to prepare.
- Cosmetic fillings are white, which makes it possible to use them on front teeth without worrying about their appearance.
- With them you can carry on with life normally, eating and drinking afterwards, and they do not need time to dry like silver fillings. A number of teeth can be filled in one session, without needing further sessions in some cases, depending on the types of cosmetic fillings.
- They help strengthen the teeth, especially as they restore the function of the teeth.
How cosmetic fillings are fitted
In talking about cosmetic fillings for front teeth, we go through the method of fitting cosmetic fillings in the following steps:
- First the dentist cleans the area where the filling will go, especially in the case of tooth decay, and it may be necessary to treat the nerve first if there is inflammation.
- Then the filling is built up in the tooth cavity, and the teeth are exposed to ultraviolet light, which helps set the bonding material so the filling takes its correct shape.
- Where the filling is on front teeth, the dentist then covers the tooth with a single shade to get a more natural and uniform look.
How to maintain cosmetic fillings
Continuing the discussion of cosmetic fillings for front teeth, you can look after them by following this:
- Clean the teeth continually with dental floss and a toothbrush, and take care not to go near the filled area.
- Stay away from crunchy foods that can stick to the filling for as long as possible.
- Avoid eating hot and cold foods.
Read more: Medicines for tooth nerve treatment
In conclusion, we learned different details about cosmetic fillings for front teeth, as well as their various advantages and how they are fitted.
This article is for general education and is not a diagnosis or a substitute for advice from your dentist.
