What You Should Know About Fillings
There’s a reason that silver amalgam has been used in fillings for so many years. It’s a remarkably strong and durable material, and silver fillings typically last for many, many years and even several decades. Tooth-colored fillings are matched to the natural tooth color making them more cosmetic. If you need a filling in the front part of your mouth, where it will be visible when you smile, you might want to consider a tooth-colored filling rather than silver.
The Tooth Filling Procedure
Getting a tooth filled is one of the most common dental procedures performed by dentists. The procedure hasn’t changed much over the years. Dr. Russell begins by numbing the affected tooth and surrounding gums, removing all existing tooth decay — or the old filling material if you’re having an old filling replaced. He then thoroughly cleans the surface of the tooth and fills it with either silver amalgam or a tooth-colored composite material.
