Composite Fillings Bel-Ridge, MO
Composite Fillings in Bel-Ridge, MO. Treating cavities and other tooth damage with composite fillings can help bring back your your smile and enhance your self-esteem. At Plaza Dental, we are experts in restorative and cosmetic dentistry to give people in Bel-Ridge, MO tooth-colored fillings that no one will be able to tell are not your natural teeth. If you have teeth that are decayed or worn out, or are just looking for a nearby Bel-Ridge, MO dentist for your examination, contact Plaza Dental today at 314-361-1818 or make an appointment online.
What Are Composite Fillings?
Composite fillings made of glass and quartz with resin that combine to produce a tooth colored material. Our dentist team will color the fillings so they look natural alongside your other teeth. They’re becoming an increasingly popular alternative to dental amalgam fillings for Bel-Ridge, MO residents who need a cavity filled because of their natural appearance, their relative cost, and the fact that amalgam fillings contain the chance of breathing in a trace amount of mercury vapor.
While cavities are the main reason people get composite fillings, they can also improve your Bel-Ridge, MO smile by addressing:
- Bruxism, or tooth grinding
- Cracked teeth
- Gaps between teeth
- Worn teeth
- Other tooth decay
How Dentists Apply Composite Fillings
Your Bel-Ridge, MO dentist will usually begin your appointment by scrupulously cleaning the affected area and then applying a local anesthetic to numb the gums and tooth. If you are getting a composite filling in order to fix a cavity, your dentist will remove the decayed parts of the tooth. After, they will add the soft composite filling to your teeth in layers. After each layer, your dentist in Bel-Ridge, MO will solidify the composite filling with a UV light — a process referred to as photopolymerization — in order for the next layer can be applied.
Once that process is finished, your dentist at Plaza Dental will shape it to match the rest of your teeth, remove any surplus filling, and finally polish the tooth. While your mouth may stay numb for 4 or 5 hours, and you may experience some brief sensitivity to hot and cold foods and beverages at first, generally, once the procedure is over, both the appearance and functionality of the filling is immediately identical to that of your natural teeth.
Benefits of Composite Fillings
Apart from composite fillings, there are other categories of fillings, including also gold, silver amalgam or ceramic. In addition to cost and the natural look, we’ve found that many Bel-Ridge, MO residents prefer composite because:
- It is much easier to manipulate, which means it can be used to fill smaller cavities and less of your actual, non-decayed tooth has to be chipped away to make room for it.
- Its flexibility before being hardened makes it perfect for eliminating cracks and spaces between teeth.
- The material isn’t affected by temperature, so it you won’t have to deal with persistent tooth sensitivity.
- It bonds to your existing tooth, so it will not fall out, and it helps protect the delicate tooth underneath the filling.
- Repairing it is as easy as applying new layers, so mild damage does not lead to a full replacement like it would for other fillings.
- A composite filling can usually be applied in one visit to your St. Louis dentist, while other fillings require multiple appointments.
How Long Do Composite Fillings Last?
One drawback to composite fillings is that they do not last as long other types of fillings. While some other fillings can last for over a decade, the average composite filling will need to be replaced in as little as half that time.
Signs You May Need a Composite Filling
While a chipped tooth can be seen by anybody, especially if it’s one of your front teeth, other underlying problems are not as obvious. You’ll want to contact your Bel-Ridge, MO dentist immediately for the following reasons:
- Bleeding of the gums may mean that you have gingivitis or another gum disease, which can result in tooth decay and much more severe problems if untreated.
- Tooth pain or persistent toothaches can indicate decay or hard-to-see cracks in the back of your mouth.
- Nonstop bad breath, technically known as halitosis, can often be a sign of severe dental conditions and tooth decay.
While your Bel-Ridge, MO dentist at Plaza Dental is an expert in addressing myriad dental problems, they’ll always endorse observing good oral hygiene and tooth decay prevention such as brushing and flossing and investing in professional cleanings and polishings every six months.
Check out the links below to see some of the other services we offer in Bel-Ridge, MO:
- Dental Emergency
- Gum Contouring
- Broken Tooth Repair
- Invisalign®
- Tooth Pain Relief
- Periodontal Treatment
- Tooth Pain
- Gingivitis Treatment
- Dentist Near Me
Composite Fillings in Bel-Ridge, MO | Dental Plaza
We know that when your smile isn’t what you want it to be it can have an impact on your appearance and confidence, which is why we’ve devoted our practice to helping Bel-Ridge, MO residents get that perfect alignment and those pearly whites. No matter the the current condition of your teeth, Plaza Dental is here to get them looking great and hopes that when you leave our office you’ll be beaming everywhere. We have a particular interest in seeing Bel-Ridge, MO residents who are nervous about sitting in the dentist’s chair, as we believe a brilliant smile and healthy mouth are something everyone deserves. If you need composite fillings in Bel-Ridge, MO, contact Plaza Dental today at 314-361-1818 or contact us online.