Are Composite Fillings Safe For Me?

Back in the old days of dentistry, getting a dental filling meant getting a bright, silver filling that’s easy to spot compared to the color of your natural teeth. These days, patients thankfully have another option: composite fillings. Composite fillings are made from tooth-colored material so they blend right in, but some people wonder if these fillings are in fact safe. Here’s the scoop on composite fillings and whether they’re safe for you:

Composite Fillings 101

Composite fillings get their name because they’re made from a compound of resin and fillers. Sometimes you may hear them referred to as tooth-colored fillings or white fillings because of the color of this material. The biggest draw of this type of filling compared to silver fillings is, of course, their subtle appearance.

The Safety of Tooth-Colored Fillings

In recent years, there has been concern over the safety of silver fillings due to the presence of mercury, so some patients wonder if there’s anything they should be worried about in terms of the alternative of composite fillings. The fact is, tooth-colored fillings are safe, and this sentiment is backed up by the American Dental Association. Composite fillings also require less preparation of the tooth before placement, which means more of your natural tooth structure is preserved with this option.

Safe Dental Treatment at Dental Solutions of Avon/Indy

At Dental Solutions of Avon/Indy, we would only ever provide treatments that we have thoroughly vetted and deemed safe for our patients. We do provide composite fillings as part of our cosmetic and restorative dental offerings.

If you have more questions about the use and safety of composite fillings, don’t be shy. We welcome any and all of your dental health-related questions. All you have to do is call or email us and one of our team members would be happy to help!