Composite Fillings St. John, MO
Composite Fillings in St. John, MO. Treating cavities and other tooth damage with composite fillings can help brighten your pearly whites and improve your self-esteem. At Plaza Dental, we are experts in restorative and cosmetic dentistry to give people in St. John, MO tooth-colored fillings that no one will be able to tell are not your natural teeth. If you have teeth that are decayed or otherwise damaged, or are just looking for a nearby St. John, MO dentist for your examination, get in touch with Plaza Dental today at 314-361-1818 or make an appointment online.
What Are Composite Fillings?
Composite fillings are a mix 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 an increasingly popular alternative to dental amalgam fillings for St. John, MO residents who need a cavity filled because of their natural appearance, their relative affordability, 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 St. John, MO smile by addressing:
- Bruxism, or tooth grinding
- Cracked teeth
- Gaps between teeth
- Worn teeth
- Other tooth decay
How Dentists Apply Composite Fillings
Your St. John, MO dentist will generally begin your appointment by providing an in-depth cleaning to the affected area and then administering a local anesthetic to numb the gums and tooth. If you are getting a composite filling in order to fix a cavity, your dentist will remove the decayed parts of the tooth. After, the soft composite filling will be applied in layers. Between layers, your dentist in St. John, MO will solidify the composite filling using a UV light — technically called photopolymerization — and will continue applying layers one at a time until the entire tooth is fixed.
Once the entire composite filling is in place, your dentist at Plaza Dental will manipulate the filling to bear a resemblance to rest of your teeth, take off any surplus filling, and then polish the tooth. While the numbness may not wear off for several hours, and you may feel some brief sensitivity to temperature changes for a little while after that, generally, once the composite fillings have been polished, both the look and functionality of the filling is immediately equal to that of your natural teeth.
Benefits of Composite Fillings
Beyond composite fillings, there are other types of fillings, such as also various metals or glass ionomer. In addition to cost and the fact that it’s tooth-colored, we’ve found that many St. John, MO residents prefer composite because:
- It is much easier to manipulate, which means it can be used to fill smaller cavities and you do not have to scrap out as much of your actual tooth.
- Its flexibility before being hardened makes it ideal for fixing cracks and gaps between teeth.
- The material is immune to changes due to temperature, so it you won’t have to deal with chronic tooth sensitivity.
- It fastens to your natural tooth, so it will not fall out, and it helps shield the delicate tooth underneath the filling.
- It’s easily repaired, so a small chip will 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 Durable Are Composite Fillings?
One disadvantage to composite fillings is that they tend to be less durable than other varieties of fillings. While metal fillings can last for over a decade, composite fillings will generally last in about 7 years.
Signs You May Need a Composite Filling
While a chipped tooth is easily viewable, other dental problems can usually only be diagnosed by a professional. You’ll want to contact your St. John, MO dentist immediately for the following reasons:
- Inflammation, redness, or bleeding of the gums may mean that you have 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 nonstop toothaches can indicate decay or hard-to-see broken teeth in the back of your mouth.
- Constant bad breath, technically called halitosis, can often be a sign of significant dental conditions in addition to tooth decay.
While your St. John, MO dentist at Plaza Dental can help you with a lot of dental problems, they’ll always endorse observing good oral hygiene and preventive care such as brushing and flossing and making cleaning and polishing appointments with your dental office twice a year.
Check out the links below to see some of the other services we offer in St. John, MO:
- Dental Emergency
- Gum Contouring
- Broken Tooth Repair
- Invisalign®
- Tooth Pain Relief
- Periodontal Treatment
- Tooth Pain
- Gingivitis Treatment
- Dentist Near Me
Composite Fillings in St. John, MO | Dental Plaza
We know that having damaged teeth can have an impact on how you see yourself, which is why we’ve committed our practice to helping St. John, MO residents achieve the smile of their dreams. 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 treating St. John, MO residents who are apprehensive about going to the dentist, as we believe a brilliant smile and healthy teeth are something everyone deserves. If you need composite fillings in St. John, MO, get in touch with Plaza Dental today at 314-361-1818 or contact us online.