Northwoods, MO

Composite Fillings Northwoods, MO

Composite Fillings in Northwoods, MO. Treating cavities and other tooth damage with composite fillings can help bring back your your smile and enhance your confidence. At Plaza Dental, we are experts in restorative and cosmetic dentistry to give people in Northwoods, 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 Northwoods, MO dentist for your standard cleaning, get in touch with 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 the number one option over dental amalgam fillings for people in Northwoods, MO who need a cavity filled because they appear more natural, are more affordable, and amalgam fillings carry the chance of breathing in a trace amount of mercury vapor.

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

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

How Your Composite Fillings Appointment Will Go

Your Northwoods, MO dentist will usually start by thoroughly cleaning the affected area and then applying a local anesthetic to numb the gums and tooth. If you need your composite filling because of decay, your dentist will remove unwanted bits of the tooth with a drill. After, the soft composite filling will be applied in layers. After each layer, your dentist in Northwoods, MO will coagulate the composite filling with a UV 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, trim off any surplus filling, and lastly polish the filling. While your mouth may stay numb for several hours, and you may feel some brief sensitivity to hot and cold foods and beverages at first, generally, once you leave the dentist’s office, both the appearance and functionality of the filling is immediately identical to that of your natural teeth.

Advantages to Composite Fillings

In addition to 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 Northwoods, MO residents prefer composite because:

• It is much easier to manipulate, which means it can can fill smaller chips and crevices and you do not have to remove as much of your actual tooth.
• Its versatility makes it perfect for treating cracks and spaces between teeth.
• The material isn’t affected by temperature, so it you won’t have to deal with long-term tooth sensitivity.
• It binds to your existing tooth, so it will not fall out, and it helps defend the sensitive tooth underneath the filling.
• It’s easily repaired, 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 visit to 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 do not last as long other varieties of fillings. While some other 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 broken tooth can be seen by anybody, especially if it’s one of your front teeth, other underlying problems are not as obvious. You’ll want to make an appointment with your Northwoods, MO dentist immediately for the following reasons:

• Bleeding of the gums may be an indication of gingivitis or another gum disease, which can lead to tooth decay and much more serious problems if you do not promptly seek treatment.
• Tooth pain or nonstop toothaches are often signs that your teeth are suffering from decay.
• Persistent bad breath, technically called halitosis, can occasionally be a sign of significant dental problems in addition to tooth decay.

While your Northwoods, MO dentist at Plaza Dental is an expert in addressing myriad dental problems, your best option is always to observe good oral hygiene and preventive care such as brushing and flossing and getting professional cleanings and polishings every six months.

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

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

Composite Fillings in Northwoods, 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 Northwoods, MO residents get that perfect alignment and those pearly whites. No matter the the current condition of 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 specific interest in seeing Northwoods, MO residents who are anxious about sitting in the dentist’s chair, as we believe a great smile and healthy teeth are something everyone has a right to. If you need composite fillings in Northwoods, MO, reach out to Plaza Dental today at 314-361-1818 or contact us online.