What are tooth-colored fillings?
Tooth-colored fillings are small restorations made from composite resin. Composite resin is a material that is made up of glass and plastic. After the tooth is prepared for a restoration, a dentist applies composite resin over the decayed area in liquid form – almost like paint. The treatment area is then exposed to a curing light that hardens the restoration. Composite resin is tooth-colored and its shade can be tinted to match the color of a person’s tooth exactly. This makes tooth-colored fillings very discreet restorations that protect teeth from further disease and damage.
Why are dental restorations necessary?
Dental restorations like filings and crowns are necessary because a tooth cannot heal itself once it has been permanently damaged. For instance, if a chip, crack, or cavity forms, it will expose the sensitive internal structure of a tooth to oral bacteria that eat through the soft structure of teeth. A dental restoration will prevent bacteria from harming the damaged or diseased area of the tooth in the future and prevent the root canal from becoming infected.
How do cavities form?
Cavities form when the enamel surface of teeth is damaged. Enamel damage can occur from teeth being exposed to strong acids repeatedly, damage from dental injuries, and inadequate oral hygiene. Millions of bacteria live in our mouths and there is one strain in particular that eats through teeth, Streptococci Mutans. This bacterium is passed orally from person to person so it is incredibly common. When teeth are weak and no longer protected by enamel, harmful bacteria will eat through the structure of a tooth causing a depression (or cavity) to form.
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