Composite Fillings Black Jack, MO
Composite Fillings in Black Jack, MO. Treating cavities and other tooth damage with composite fillings can help brighten your smile and improve your confidence. At Plaza Dental, we are wizards in restorative and cosmetic dentistry to give people in Black Jack, MO tooth-colored fillings that are identical to their natural teeth. If you have teeth that are decayed or broken, or just need a local Black Jack, 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 can customize the fillings so they match your teeth. They’re becoming the preferred choice over dental amalgam fillings for people in Black Jack, MO who need a cavity filled because they appear more natural, are more affordable, and amalgam fillings contain trace amounts of mercury, which can be dangerous for some patients.
In addition to cavities, composite fillings can improve your Black Jack, MO smile by fixing:
- Bruxism, or tooth grinding
- Broken teeth
- Gaps between teeth
- Worn teeth
- Other tooth decay
How Dentists Apply Composite Fillings
Your Black Jack, MO dentist will usually start by providing an in-depth cleaning to the affected area and then putting on a local anesthetic to numb the region of your mouth that they’ll be working on. If you are getting a composite filling in order to fix a cavity, your dentist will remove unwanted bits of the tooth with a drill. Then, the soft composite filling will be applied in layers. Between layers, your dentist in Black Jack, MO will harden the composite filling with a UV light — technically called photopolymerization — in order for the next layer can be applied.
After that process is finished, your dentist at Plaza Dental will shape it to match the rest of your teeth, remove any residue, and then polish the tooth. While you might not regain full sensation in your mouth for several hours, and you may feel some brief sensitivity to hot and cold foods and beverages for a little while after that, generally, once you leave the dentist’s chair, both the appearance and functionality of your teeth are immediately restored.
Advantages to Composite Fillings
Apart from composite fillings, there are other categories of fillings, including also various metals or ceramic. In addition to cost and the fact that it’s tooth-colored, we’ve found that many Black Jack, MO residents prefer composite because:
- It is much easier to manipulate, which means it can can fill smaller chips and crevices 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 by far the best option for treating cracks and gaps between teeth.
- The material is immune to changes due to temperature, so it you won’t have to deal with long-term tooth sensitivity.
- It binds to your existing tooth, it’s incredibly unlikely that it will fall out, and it helps defend the sensitive tooth underneath the filling.
- It’s easily repaired, so mild damage does not result in needing a brand new filling like it would for other fillings.
- It can usually be completed in one appointment with your St. Louis dentist, while other fillings need one appointment to mold your teeth, then a second appointment once the filling has been made in a lab.
How Durable Are Composite Fillings?
One disadvantage to composite fillings is that they tend to be less durable than other varieties of fillings. While gold fillings can last up to 15 years, composite fillings will generally last in as little as half that time.
When Do I Need a Composite Filling?
While a chipped tooth is easily viewable, other dental problems can usually only be diagnosed by a professional. You’ll want to make an appointment with your Black Jack, MO dentist immediately for the following reasons:
- Swelling, redness, or bleeding of the gums may be a sign of gingivitis or another gum disease, which can lead to tooth decay and much more severe problems if untreated.
- Tooth pain or continual toothaches are often signs that your teeth are suffering from decay.
- Consistent bad breath, technically referred to as halitosis, can occasionally be an indication of severe dental conditions and tooth decay.
While your Black Jack, MO dentist at Plaza Dental specializes in the treatment of a lot of dental problems, they’ll always advocate following good oral hygiene and tooth decay prevention such as brushing and flossing and making cleaning and polishing appointments with your dentist biannually.
Check out the links below to see some of the other services we offer in Black Jack, MO:
- Dental Emergency
- Gum Contouring
- Broken Tooth Repair
- Invisalign®
- Tooth Pain Relief
- Periodontal Treatment
- Tooth Pain
- Gingivitis Treatment
- Dentist Near Me
Composite Fillings in Black Jack, MO | Dental Plaza
We know that when your smile isn’t what you want it to be it can affect your appearance and confidence, which is why we’ve dedicated our practice to helping Black Jack, MO residents achieve the smile of their dreams. Whatever the the current condition of your teeth, Plaza Dental is here to restore them along with your self-image. We have a specific interest in treating Black Jack, MO residents who are worried about going to the dentist, as we believe a brilliant smile and healthy teeth are something everyone has a right to. If you need composite fillings in Black Jack, MO, contact Plaza Dental today at 314-361-1818 or contact us online.