White Fillings Specialist

Nikhil M. Patel, DMD Our Services White Fillings

Nikhil M. Patel, DMD

Laser Dentistry & Family Dentistry located in Worcester, MA

If you need a cavity filled, you may be concerned that the filling will affect your appearance. If this is you, fear not. Nikhil M. Patel, DMD, offers white fillings at his self-titled practice in Worcester, Massachusetts. Unlike silver metal, white fillings blend in with surrounding teeth. To learn more, call or book an appointment online today.

White Fillings Q & A

Why are dental fillings needed?

Whenever the integrity of your tooth has been compromised, it can expose you to potential nerve pain and increase your risk for an oral infection. An oral infection can cause many health problems, including abscesses, bone infections, and systemic infections.

There are a number of things that can compromise the integrity of your teeth, including:

  • Cavities
  • Breaks
  • Cracks
  • Worn areas

A dental filling reinforces the area where the tooth is weakened. This protects the structure and nerves of the teeth and also help protect against infection.

What kinds of dental fillings are there?

There are several kinds of dental fillings. Each holds a different advantage, and each is made of different materials. A few types of fillings are:

  • Porcelain
  • Gold
  • Silver amalgam
  • Glass ionomer
  • Composite resin

While Dr. Patel is experienced in using all of these types, he prefers to use composite resin. This type of filling is white, or tooth-colored, and is not as noticeable as other types of fillings. And as shown below, this type of dental filling holds other advantages as well.

What are the advantages of white fillings?

Aside from being cosmetically appealing — because the filling blends in with the surrounding teeth — there are other advantages to using a composite resin, or white filling, such as:

Bonds well

This composite resin bonds chemically with the natural tooth material, thus making it bond better than the other options.

Versatile

Composite resin can be used for cavity repair and when there are cracks, breaks, and weak areas.

Spares natural tooth

Before a composite resin filling is placed, less of the tooth needs to be removed than is necessary with other types of fillings.

No mercury

While other types of dental fillings may have traces of mercury, which can have long-term health effects, a composite resin does not, making it safer overall.

Dr. Patel is proud to offer white fillings as a cosmetically appealing option for repair and protection of your teeth. If you need a dental filling, this may be the right option for you.

If you would like to know more about white fillings, call Nikhil M. Patel, DMD or book your appointment online today.