Composite Fillings: Treating Cavities In Style

Composite Fillings: Treating Cavities In StyleIt’s the sentence we all dread: “You have a cavity.” And you know what that means – you’re going to get a filling. This may conjure up images of years past when the only option for filling a cavity was the metal variety, which tends to be, well, unattractive. Good news – composite fillings are a contemporary option for treating cavities, and the outcome is much more aesthetically pleasing.

The Composite Filling Defined

A composite filling is a small- to mid-sized filling that is the same color as your tooth.  It is a composite resin made of plastic and glass, which can be used on front and back teeth. Composite fillings are chemically bonded to the remaining tooth and provide a more effective seal than silver amalgam fillings. This type of filling also effectively forms cohesion between your natural tooth and itself, which reduces cracks in your teeth.

How is a Composite Filling Done?

Your dentist works in layers to apply the composite resin. Between each layer, he uses a light on the treated area to hard the surface. The filling is then shaped and molded to the tooth, followed by a quick polish.

What are the Benefits of a Composite Filling?

There are many things to celebrate when it comes to composite fillings. They blend nicely with your natural teeth to improve your smile, reshape blemished teeth, add durability to withstand constant chewing, and they chemically bond to your tooth to protect it from sensitivity to extremely hot and cold foods and beverages.

Is There a Downside to Composite Fillings?

Patients report temporary sensitivity in the area where the composite filling is applied. It’s best to abstain from extremely hot and cold foods for the first 24 hours. And to maintain the natural color of the filling, you may want to cut back on staining food and drink like coffee, red wine, berries, and certain sauces.

To learn more about the benefits of composite fillings, schedule an appointment with Drs Of Smiles by contacting Scott T. LeSueur, DDS & Charles A Dodaro, DDS online or by calling our Mesa office at (480) 834-6991 today. We serve Phoenix, Scottsdale, Tempe, and all surrounding Arizona communities.

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