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All About Composite Fillings

What Are Composite Fillings?

Fractures, cavities, and other dental concerns can occur for several reasons, such as injury, improper dental hygiene, or tooth decay. When a person suffers from tooth damage, no matter how that damage occurred, it is important to fix it before the situation worsens.

Cosmetic dentistry offers patients many options for tooth replacement, however, it is always better to keep your natural teeth when possible. Composite fillings are used for cavities and general tooth repair. You can opt for either a direct or an indirect filling, the latter of which involves shaping a filling around a tooth. A direct filling simply involves filling the cavity or other gap.

Composite resin is a moldable, tooth-colored material that is hardened after it is applied to teeth. Since composite resin is easy to shape, it can also be used to fix gaps between teeth, chips, and misshapen teeth.

Composite fillings are popular for the reasons that they are fairly easy to work with, natural looking, and they can also lessen the amount of chewing pressure put on teeth. Once a cavity or fracture is repaired with composite resin, any pain caused by the damage should be eliminated or greatly lessened. These fillings are also less likely to break or crack than amalgam or glass ionomer fillings, and less expensive than gold.

How Are Composite Fillings Applied

A great thing about composite fillings is that they are easy to apply, and usually only require one appointment to complete. However, if you receive an indirect composite filling, two appointments with your dentist are usually necessary.

The process of having a composite filling placed is fairly simple. First, the affected area is numbed with anesthetic so that tooth decay can be removed with a drill. This is to ensure the area is thoroughly clean before the filling is adhered to the tooth.

Once the tooth is cleaned, the composite mixture is applied to the area and then hardened with a special light. Finally, your dentist will shape and polish the filling to ensure it feels, looks, and acts like a normal tooth. It is important to ensure the new filling does not impact your natural bite, and that there are no rough edges left behind.

Indirect composite fillings are a little different in that they require your dentist to make a mould of your tooth and send that mould to a lab. You will receive a temporary filling until the indirect permanent one is complete. After the permanent filling is finished, your dentist will adhere it to your tooth with dental cement.

Visit A Trusted Dentist Near Park Ridge, IL

When you need a damaged tooth repaired, you want a reliable dentist to do the work. Family dental care you can count on is hard to find, but whether you need composite fillings, dental implants, teeth whitening, or other dental services, you can feel confident when you schedule an appointment with Beyond Smiles of Park Ridge.

Beyond Smiles is your local dental practice offering cosmetic dentistry in Park Ridge, Illinois. We welcome patients of all ages, so please contact us to book an appointment today.

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