Composite Fillings Glendale, MO
Composite Fillings in Glendale, MO. Treating cavities and other tooth damage with composite fillings can help bring back your your pearly whites and enhance your confidence. At Plaza Dental, we are experts in restorative and cosmetic dentistry to give people in Glendale, MO tooth-colored fillings that are identical to their natural teeth. If you have damaged teeth, or just need a nearby Glendale, MO dentist for your examination, call Plaza Dental today at 314-361-1818 or make an appointment online.
What Are Composite Fillings?
Composite fillings are made of quartz and plastic resin and a filler of finely ground, glass-like particles. Our dentist team will color the fillings so they look natural alongside your other teeth. They’re becoming the number one option over dental amalgam fillings for Glendale, MO residents who need a cavity filled because of their natural appearance, their relative price, and the fact that amalgam fillings carry the chance of inhaling a small amount of mercury vapor.
While cavities are the main reason people get composite fillings, they can also improve your Glendale, MO smile by fixing:
- Bruxism, or tooth grinding
- Chipped teeth
- Gaps between teeth
- Worn teeth
- Other tooth decay
The Composite Fillings Procedure
Your Glendale, MO dentist will generally begin your appointment by providing an in-depth cleaning to the damaged area and then employing a local anesthetic to numb the gums and tooth. If you need your composite filling because of decay, your dentist will scrape away the decayed parts of the tooth. Then, the soft composite filling will be applied in layers. Between layers, your dentist in Glendale, MO will reinforce 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 manipulate the filling to look the same as the rest of your teeth, remove any excess, and then polish the tooth. While the numbness may not wear off for 4 or 5 hours, and you may experience some minimal sensitivity to hot and cold foods and beverages at first, generally, once the composite fillings have been polished, both the appearance and functionality of your teeth are immediately restored.
Benefits of Composite Fillings
Apart from composite fillings, there are other varieties of fillings, for example also metal or glass ionomer. In addition to cost and the natural look, we’ve found that many Glendale, MO residents also choose 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 ideal for eliminating cracks and spaces between teeth.
- The material is immune to changes due to temperature, so it won’t cause persistent tooth sensitivity.
- It affixes to your natural tooth, which makes it much less likely to fall out, and it helps shield the sensitive tooth underneath the filling.
- Repairing it is as easy as applying new layers, so a small chip will not lead to a brand new filling like it would for other materials.
- It can usually be completed in one visit to your St. Louis dentist, while other fillings need multiple appointments.
How Durable Are Composite Fillings?
One drawback 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, the average composite filling will need to be replaced in about 7 years.
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 can usually only be diagnosed by a professional. Some signs you may need composite fillings in Glendale, MO are:
- 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 persistent toothaches can indicate decay or hard-to-see cracks in the back of your mouth.
- Constant bad breath, technically called halitosis, can occasionally be a sign of serious dental conditions including tooth decay.
While your Glendale, MO dentist at Plaza Dental is an expert in addressing numerous dental problems, your best option is always to follow good oral hygiene and preventive care such as brushing and flossing and going to professional cleanings and polishings twice a year.
Check out the links below to see some of the other services we offer in Glendale, MO:
- Dental Emergency
- Gum Contouring
- Broken Tooth Repair
- Invisalign®
- Tooth Pain Relief
- Periodontal Treatment
- Tooth Pain
- Gingivitis Treatment
- Dentist Near Me
Composite Fillings in Glendale, MO | Dental Plaza
We know that if you’re not proud of your smile it can have an impact on how you see yourself, which is why we’ve devoted our practice to helping Glendale, MO residents get that perfect alignment and those pearly whites. Whatever the extent of the damage to 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 Glendale, MO residents who are nervous about going to the dentist, as we believe a shining smile and healthy mouth are something everyone has a right to. If you need composite fillings in Glendale, MO, call Plaza Dental today at 314-361-1818 or contact us online.