Composite Fillings Maplewood, MO
Composite Fillings in Maplewood, MO. Treating cavities and other tooth damage with composite fillings can help bring back your your smile and boost your confidence. At Plaza Dental, we are wizards in restorative and cosmetic dentistry to give people in Maplewood, MO tooth-colored fillings that are identical to their natural teeth. If you have teeth that are decayed or worn out, or just need a nearby Maplewood, 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 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 Maplewood, MO residents who need a cavity filled because they look more natural, are more affordable, and amalgam fillings contain the chance of ingesting a trace amount of mercury vapor.
While cavities are the main reason people get composite fillings, they can also improve your Maplewood, MO smile by addressing:
- Bruxism, or tooth grinding
- Broken teeth
- Gaps between teeth
- Worn teeth
- Other tooth decay
How Dentists Apply Composite Fillings
Your Maplewood, MO dentist will typically start by scrupulously cleaning the damaged area and then applying a local anesthetic to numb the region of your mouth that they’ll be working on. 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. After each layer, your dentist in Maplewood, MO will coagulate the composite filling with a visible or ultraviolet light — technically called photopolymerization — so that the next layer can be applied.
After the entire composite filling is in place, your dentist at Plaza Dental will manipulate the filling to match the rest of your teeth, cut out any residue, and then polish the filling. While you might not regain full sensation in your mouth for several hours, and you may feel some slight sensitivity to hot and cold foods and beverages at first, generally, once the procedure is over, both the look and functionality of your teeth are immediately restored.
Advantages to Composite Fillings
Apart from composite fillings, there are other categories of fillings, such as also various metals or glass ionomer. In addition to cost and the natural look, we’ve found that many Maplewood, 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 remove as much of your actual tooth.
- Its versatility makes it perfect for treating cracks and gaps between teeth.
- The material is immune to changes due to temperature, so it won’t cause chronic tooth sensitivity.
- It fastens to your natural tooth, which makes it much less likely to fall out, and it helps protect the sensitive tooth underneath the filling.
- It’s easily repaired, so mild damage does 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 require 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 downside to composite fillings is that they do not last as long other kinds of fillings. While gold fillings can last between 10 and 15 years, the average composite filling will need to be replaced between 5 and 10 years.
Signs You May Need a Composite Filling
While a broken tooth is easily viewable, other underlying problems can usually only be diagnosed by a professional. Some signs you may need composite fillings in Maplewood, MO are:
- Bleeding of the gums may be a sign of gingivitis or another gum disease, which can lead to tooth decay and a host of other problems if you do not promptly seek treatment.
- Tooth pain or nonstop toothaches can mean that your teeth are starting to decay.
- Continual bad breath, officially known as halitosis, can often be an indication of severe dental conditions and tooth decay.
While your Maplewood, MO dentist at Plaza Dental specializes in the treatment of a lot of dental problems, they’ll always recommend observing good oral hygiene and preventive care such as brushing and flossing and making cleaning and polishing appointments with your dentist every six months.
Check out the links below to see some of the other services we offer in Maplewood, MO:
- Dental Emergency
- Gum Contouring
- Broken Tooth Repair
- Invisalign®
- Tooth Pain Relief
- Periodontal Treatment
- Tooth Pain
- Gingivitis Treatment
- Dentist Near Me
Composite Fillings in Maplewood, 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 devoted our practice to helping Maplewood, 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 smiling everywhere. We have a special interest in seeing Maplewood, MO residents who are nervous about going to the dentist, as we believe a great smile and healthy mouth are something everyone should have. If you need composite fillings in Maplewood, MO, contact Plaza Dental today at 314-361-1818 or contact us online.