Creating Confident Smiles
Dental Fillings
Resin composite fillings are a more natural-looking filling that is mixed to match your natural tooth color. Composite resin also allows you to maintain as much of your natural tooth structure as possible. Composite fillings can last a long time, usually up to 10-12 years before needing to be replaced. This type of tooth-colored filling is more commonly used on the front teeth or more visible areas, usually for cosmetic reasons.
Resin Composite Fillings
Resin composite fillings
are used to repair cracked or broken teeth, and for filling a tooth. When a
tooth needs to be filled, the dentist will use a local anesthetic to numb the
area around the tooth to be filled. A drill or laser will be used to remove the
decayed area. Once the decay has been removed, the space will be prepared for
the filling by cleaning the area of bacteria and debris. After this, the
tooth-colored filling will be applied. The resin material is applied in layers
then cured with a special light. After the layer process is completed, the
composite material will be shaped and polished.
Dental Fillings Blend with Natural Teeth
Resin composite fillings bond to the teeth, which means not as much of the natural tooth structure will need to be removed. This creates the opportunity to conservatively treat your cavity while maintaining much more of your natural tooth structure. Composite fillings are not generally recommended for larger fillings because they may chip or wear over time.
Tooth colored fillings blend in beautifully with your natural teeth. Because they look like your natural teeth, no one will be the wiser that you’ve had a cavity.
Dental Filling Care
Caring for your dental fillings is important to keeping your teeth healthy and strong. Avoid hard foods, ice, raw vegetables, and sticky candies, as these kinds of foods can dislodge or break your composite fillings. Treat your composite fillings like you would your own teeth and brush twice a day, floss, and use an antiseptic mouthwash daily to help prevent tooth decay and gum disease.
