Hanley Hills, MO

Composite Fillings Hanley Hills, MO

Composite Fillings in Hanley Hills, MO. Treating cavities and other tooth damage with composite fillings can help bring back your your smile and improve your self-image. At Plaza Dental, we specialize in restorative and cosmetic dentistry to give people in Hanley Hills, MO tooth-colored fillings that no one will be able to tell are not your natural teeth. If you have damaged teeth, or are just looking for a local Hanley Hills, MO dentist for your examination, reach out to Plaza Dental today at 314-361-1818 or make an appointment online.

What Are Composite Fillings?

Composite fillings are a blend of quartz and plastic resin and a filler of finely ground, glass-like particles. Our dentist team can customize the fillings so they match your teeth. They’ve come to be the number one option over dental amalgam fillings for Hanley Hills, MO residents who need a cavity filled because of their natural appearance, their relative affordability, and the fact that amalgam fillings contain the possibility of breathing in a trace amount of mercury vapor.

In addition to cavities, composite fillings can enhance your Hanley Hills, MO smile by treating:

• Bruxism, or tooth grinding
• Cracked teeth
• Gaps between teeth
• Worn teeth
• Other tooth decay

The Composite Fillings Procedure

Your Hanley Hills, MO dentist will generally start by providing an in-depth cleaning to the damaged area and then applying a local anesthetic to numb the gums and tooth. If you are getting a composite filling in order to treat a cavity, your dentist will remove the decayed parts of the tooth. After, the soft composite filling will be applied in layers. After each layer, your dentist in Hanley Hills, MO will solidify the composite filling using a visible or ultraviolet light — a process referred to as photopolymerization — so that the next layer can be applied.

After that process is finished, your dentist at Plaza Dental will manipulate the filling to match the rest of your teeth, cut out any residue, and lastly polish the filling. While your mouth may stay numb for several hours, and you may feel some minimal sensitivity to hot and cold foods and beverages for a little while after that, generally, once you leave the dentist’s chair, both the look 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 varieties of fillings, for example also various metals or glass ionomer. While an obvious benefit of composite is the natural look, we’ve found that many Hanley Hills, 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 versatility makes it ideal for treating cracks and spaces between teeth.
• The material is immune to changes due to temperature, so it won’t cause long-term tooth sensitivity.
• It binds to your natural tooth, which makes it much less likely to fall out, and it helps insulate the delicate tooth underneath the filling.
• Repairing it is as easy as applying new layers, so slight damage does not lead to a full replacement like it would for other materials.
• It can usually be completed in one appointment with your St. Louis dentist, while other fillings need multiple appointments.

How Long Do Composite Fillings Last?

One disadvantage to composite fillings is that they do not last as long other kinds of fillings. While metal fillings can last for over a decade, the average composite filling will need to be replaced in about 7 years.

When Do I Need a Composite Filling?

While a broken tooth is easily viewable, other dental problems can usually only be diagnosed by a professional. Some signs you may need composite fillings in Hanley Hills, MO are:

• Swelling, redness, or 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 mean that your teeth are starting to decay.
• Constant bad breath, officially called halitosis, can at times be a sign of serious dental conditions including tooth decay.

While your Hanley Hills, MO dentist at Plaza Dental can help you with numerous dental problems, they’ll always advise practicing good oral hygiene and tooth decay prevention such as brushing and flossing and investing in professional cleanings and polishings twice a year.

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

• Dental Emergency
• Gum Contouring
• Broken Tooth Repair
• Invisalign®
• Tooth Pain Relief
• Periodontal Treatment
• Tooth Pain
• Gingivitis Treatment
• Dentist Near Me

Composite Fillings in Hanley Hills, MO | Dental Plaza

We know that if you’re not proud of your smile it can affect how you see yourself, which is why we’ve devoted our practice to helping Hanley Hills, MO residents get that perfect alignment and those pearly whites. No matter the extent of the damage to your teeth, Plaza Dental is here to restore them along with your self-image. We have a specific interest in seeing Hanley Hills, MO residents who are apprehensive about having someone working on their mouth, as we believe a brilliant smile and healthy mouth are something everyone has a right to. If you need composite fillings in Hanley Hills, MO, reach out to Plaza Dental today at 314-361-1818 or contact us online.