Composite Fillings Overland, MO
Composite Fillings in Overland, MO. Treating cavities and other tooth damage with composite fillings can help brighten your pearly whites and enhance your self-image. At Plaza Dental, we are wizards in restorative and cosmetic dentistry to give people in Overland, MO tooth-colored fillings that are identical to their natural teeth. If you have teeth that are decayed or cracked, or are just looking for a local Overland, 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 made of glass and quartz with resin that combine to produce a tooth colored material. Our dentist team will color the fillings so they look natural alongside your other teeth. They’ve come to be the preferred choice over dental amalgam fillings for Overland, MO residents who need a cavity filled because of their natural appearance, their relative cost, and the fact that amalgam fillings contain trace amounts of mercury, which can be dangerous for some patients.
While cavities are the main reason people get composite fillings, they can also enhance your Overland, MO smile by fixing:
- Bruxism, or tooth grinding
- Broken teeth
- Gaps between teeth
- Worn teeth
- Other tooth decay
The Composite Fillings Procedure
Your Overland, MO dentist will usually begin your appointment by providing an in-depth cleaning to the affected area and then putting on a local anesthetic to numb the region of your mouth that they’ll be working on. If you are getting a composite filling in order to treat a cavity, your dentist will scrape away the decayed parts of the tooth. After, they will add the soft composite filling to your teeth in layers. Between layers, your dentist in Overland, MO will harden the composite filling using a UV light — a process referred to as photopolymerization — so that the next layer can be applied.
Once that process is finished, your dentist at Plaza Dental will shape it to match the rest of your teeth, trim off any excess, and then polish the filling. While the numbness may not wear off for 4 or 5 hours, and you may experience some minimal sensitivity to temperature changes for a little while after that, generally, once the procedure is over, both the appearance and functionality of the filling is immediately equal to that of your natural teeth.
Advantages to Composite Fillings
In addition to composite fillings, there are other varieties of fillings, for example also gold, silver amalgam or ceramic. While an obvious benefit of composite is the fact that it’s tooth-colored, we’ve found that many Overland, 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 flexibility before being hardened makes it perfect for eliminating cracks and gaps between teeth.
- The material does not react to temperature, so it you won’t have to deal with chronic tooth sensitivity.
- It binds to your existing 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 result in needing a brand new filling like it would for other fillings.
- 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 downside to composite fillings is that they will need to be replaced sooner than other kinds of fillings. While gold fillings can last up to 15 years, the average composite filling will need to be replaced in as little as half that time.
Signs You May Need a Composite Filling
While a broken tooth is easily viewable, other underlying problems are not as obvious. Some signs you may need composite fillings in Overland, MO are:
- Bleeding of the gums may be a sign of gingivitis or another gum disease, which can cause tooth decay and a host of other problems if you do not promptly seek treatment.
- Tooth pain or constant toothaches can indicate decay or hard-to-see cracks in the back of your mouth.
- Nonstop bad breath, scientifically called halitosis, can sometimes be an indication of serious dental conditions including tooth decay.
While your Overland, MO dentist at Plaza Dental is an expert in addressing myriad dental problems, they’ll always advocate following good oral hygiene and preventive care such as brushing and flossing and making cleaning and polishing appointments with your dental office every six months.
Check out the links below to see some of the other services we offer in Overland, MO:
- Dental Emergency
- Gum Contouring
- Broken Tooth Repair
- Invisalign®
- Tooth Pain Relief
- Periodontal Treatment
- Tooth Pain
- Gingivitis Treatment
- Dentist Near Me
Composite Fillings in Overland, 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 dedicated our practice to helping Overland, MO residents get that perfect alignment and those pearly whites. Whatever 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 Overland, MO residents who are apprehensive about having someone working on their mouth, as we believe a great smile and healthy mouth are something everyone has a right to. If you need composite fillings in Overland, MO, reach out to Plaza Dental today at 314-361-1818 or contact us online.