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Clayton, MO

Composite Fillings Clayton, MO

Composite Fillings in Clayton, MO. Treating cavities and other tooth damage with composite fillings can help bring back your your smile and improve your confidence. At Plaza Dental, we are experts in restorative and cosmetic dentistry to give people in Clayton, 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 otherwise damaged, or just need a nearby Clayton, MO dentist for your examination, get in touch with Plaza Dental today at 314-361-1818 or make an appointment online.

Composite Fillings in Clayton, MO | Cosmetic and Restorative Dentistry Near Clayton

What Are Composite Fillings?

Composite fillings made from powdered glass quartz particles that are added to a resin base. Our dentist team can customize the fillings so they match your teeth. They’ve come to be an increasingly popular alternative to dental amalgam fillings for people in Clayton, MO who need a cavity filled because of their natural appearance, their relative price, and the fact that amalgam fillings contain trace amounts of mercury, which can be harmful to some patients.

While cavities are the main reason people get composite fillings, they can also enhance your Clayton, MO smile by treating:

How Your Composite Fillings Appointment Will Go

Your Clayton, MO dentist will generally begin your appointment by meticulously cleaning the damaged area and then administering a local anesthetic to numb the region of your mouth that they’ll be working on. If you are getting a composite filling because of decay, your dentist will remove the decayed parts of the tooth. Then, the soft composite filling will be applied in layers. After each layer, your dentist in Clayton, MO will reinforce the composite filling with a visible or ultraviolet light — technically called photopolymerization — so that the next layer can be applied.

After all the layers have been applied, your dentist at Plaza Dental will manipulate the filling to bear a resemblance to rest of your teeth, remove any excess, and then polish the filling. While you might not regain full sensation in your mouth for several hours, and you may experience some slight sensitivity to hot and cold foods and beverages for a little while after that, generally, once the procedure is over, both the look and functionality of the filling is immediately equal 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 fact that it’s tooth-colored, we’ve found that many Clayton, MO residents also choose composite because:

  • It is much easier to manipulate, which means it can be used to fill smaller cavities and you do not have to scrap out as much of your actual tooth.
  • Its flexibility before being hardened makes it perfect for fixing cracks and spaces between teeth.
  • The material does not react to temperature, so it you won’t have to deal with chronic tooth sensitivity.
  • It bonds to your natural tooth, it’s incredibly unlikely that it will fall out, and it helps shield the tender tooth underneath the filling.
  • Repairing it is as easy as applying new layers, so a small chip will not result in needing a full replacement like it would for other materials.
  • A composite filling can usually be applied in one appointment with your St. Louis dentist, while other fillings require multiple appointments.

How Durable Are Composite Fillings?

One drawback to composite fillings is that they tend to be less durable than other types of fillings. While some other fillings can last for over a decade, composite fillings will generally last between 5 and 10 years.

When Do I Need a Composite Filling?

While a chipped tooth is easily viewable, other underlying problems are not as obvious. You’ll want to contact your Clayton, MO dentist immediately for the following reasons:

  • Bleeding of the gums may mean that you have gingivitis or another gum disease, which can lead to tooth decay and a host of other problems if untreated.
  • Tooth pain or nonstop toothaches can indicate decay or hard-to-see broken teeth in the back of your mouth.
  • Continual bad breath, officially known as halitosis, can often be a sign of severe dental problems and tooth decay.

While your Clayton, MO dentist at Plaza Dental can help you with a lot of dental problems, your best option is always to follow good oral hygiene and tooth decay prevention such as brushing and flossing and getting professional cleanings and polishings biannually.

Check out the links below to see some of the other services we offer in Clayton, MO:

Composite Fillings in Clayton, MO | Cosmetic and Restorative Dentistry Near Clayton

Composite Fillings in Clayton, MO | Dental Plaza

We know that having damaged teeth can affect your appearance and confidence, which is why we’ve dedicated our practice to helping Clayton, MO residents get that perfect alignment and those pearly whites. Regardless of the the current condition of your teeth, Plaza Dental is here to restore them along with your self-image. We have a particular interest in treating Clayton, MO residents who are nervous about sitting in the dentist’s chair, as we believe a great smile and healthy teeth are something everyone is entitled to. If you need composite fillings in Clayton, MO, call Plaza Dental today at 314-361-1818 or contact us online.