Filling you in about strong, healthy cosmetic cavity repair with dental composite
All procedures at Brighton Park Dental balance the desire to have an attractive smile with the need to restore decayed or otherwise damaged teeth and tissues back to health. Due to the unique characteristics of composite fillings, they are a great fit with the many high-quality services at our office, which serves southwest Chicago, Illinois, and the surrounding suburbs.
What are composite fillings, and why do you use them?
The fillings that Drs. Aroon Pal, Nilay Patel, and Taylor Jemilo design and place are formulated with a sophisticated dental plastic (resin) whose color can be matched to blend in with the tooth structure around it, as well as the neighboring teeth. In addition, this composite resin contains glass-like particles. These compounds replicate the aesthetics of the protective enamel covering our teeth, including fine details such as how the light bounces off of the surface of the composite. So, it truly strikes the right balance of a beautiful cosmetic appearance with the optimal strength and durability to support comfortable and healthy chewing and other essential functions.
How do they compare to other filling materials?
For more than 150 years, dental offices have used a metallic mixture to fill in areas of decay (cavities). This mixture, known as “amalgam,” is silver in color and can stick out from the rest of the smile. Additionally, we are aware that some patients can be sensitive to the metals used in this conventional filling material. The modern resin materials that we place embody beauty as well as brawn. With our conservative techniques, we can place composite fillings in a way that supports the utmost preservation of natural tooth structure and the strongest bond between the tooth and the filling. Lastly, many patients can benefit from metal-free fillings – including those with health concerns over the use of dental amalgam.
Are composite fillings right for me?
We will not know for sure until your troublesome tooth is evaluated. If you have a hole or cavity in the tooth as the result of untreated decay, we can use this restoration to fill in the deteriorated area and rebuild this portion of the tooth. Fillings are generally best for smaller cavities. We can discuss alternate options for the repair of bigger cavities or for the treatment of more extensive decay.
If a filling is right for me, what can I expect?
Treatment itself is painless and also relieves any sensitivity or pain caused by the cavity. It can be completed with a local anesthetic. Once your tooth is numb, the damaged tissues are removed. We then clean or sterilize the area. A special bonding or conditioning agent is applied to help ensure the strongest attachment between the filling and the tooth. Then, the composite is applied in layers as a pliable material. As each layer is added, the composite is hardened. The final step is to shape, refine, and polish the tooth so it looks and feels no different than its surrounding, healthy neighbors. Then, you can be on your way and care for your restored tooth like you would any other tooth – with careful brushing and flossing and regular visits to your friends at Brighton Park Dental.
During routine checkups, our dentists can detect even subtle problems before they snowball into big issues that require treatment. So, don’t wait! If you are due for a checkup, call our team in southwest Chicago today at (773) 801-5171 to schedule yours.
