Most of you may have to undergo tooth fillings in your lifetime, whether it is due to an accident, injury, or poor oral care. Currently, tooth-colored fillings are increasingly popular everywhere. These are known as composite fillings that offer excellent tooth restoration with enhanced durability and longevity.
Houston dental office offers high-quality composite fillings that offer versatile benefits such as enhanced durability and superior aesthetic.
What are composite fillings?
Composite fillings are tooth-colored materials that are a mixture of plastic (acrylic) resin that is reinforced with a powdered glass filler. Composite fillings are available in different shades of white that allow your dentist to make a perfect match to the patient’s tooth. They bond directly to the tooth, thus dentists often need to remove less of the tooth when preparing it for filling. For this reason, composite fillings are often smaller than amalgams.
These fillings provide good durability and resistance to fracture in mild to moderate cavities that need to withstand moderate pressure from masticatory forces.
Why do you need composite fillings?
Composite fillings are recommended for several reasons, such as:
- Mild to moderate tooth decay
- Diastema (spaces or gaps between the teeth)
- Teeth that are worn out due to attrition
- Chipped or cracked teeth
- Fractured or broken teeth
Do composite fillings offer any benefits?
- Composite fillings blend seamlessly with your natural teeth, making them virtually visible
- Since the material is flexible, they require less drilling and preserve more of your natural tooth
- The resin material offers a strong bond to your tooth
- Composite fillings are durable and can withstand a substantial amount of pressure and usage
- Small fillings and repairs can be easily done with composite fillings
How do dentists restore teeth with composite fillings?
Your dentist will restore your decayed tooth with a composite filling in the following way:
- The extent of the tooth decay will be assessed through a dental X-ray to rule out the possibility of pulpal involvement.
- Your dentist will use ultrasonic instruments to excavate the tooth decay and prepare your tooth for composite filling. If the decay is large your dentist may suggest using local anesthesia to reduce discomfort during the procedure.
- The tooth will be dried and an etching agent will be applied to prepare it for bonding.
- The composite filling will be placed layer by layer.
- Each layer will be bonded using a special curing light.
- Once done, the filling will be properly shaped and polished to give a smooth surface.
A composite filling may satisfy your desire for a filling that looks good and does not detract from your smile. Additionally, it may prevent further decay from weakening your tooth.