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Composite Dental Fillings

Composite Dental Fillings

Preventing cavities and tooth decay can be challenging. Even with regular brushing and flossing, your teeth are still vulnerable to bacteria, plaque, acids in your diet, side effects from medications, such as reduced saliva production, and other oral health issues. If your dentist tells you that you have a cavity, you may have a few questions about treatment. One of the most common treatments for cavities is composite dental fillings.

At Clearwater Dentistry, we want you to feel confident about your smile. Composite tooth-colored dental fillings are a safe and effective way to restore the integrity of your teeth, alleviate discomfort, prevent further damage and keep your teeth healthy. If you’re searching for dental fillings Greeley, CO, or dentist Greeley, CO, visit Dr. Alan Baughman and the team at Clearwater Dentistry. We make visiting the dentist a breeze!

What Are Composite Fillings?

Composite fillings are white dental fillings made of composite resin materials, a mixture of plastic and glass material. This composite resin filling is similar to your natural tooth color, making it virtually unnoticeable from your surrounding teeth. They can last five years or more with proper care, making these tooth-colored fillings a cost-effective and long-lasting solution to restore your teeth.

Many different materials have been used to fill cavities, such as silver amalgam and gold. But with advances in dental practices and technology, composite fillings are the preferred choice for patients and dentists as they are more esthetic and put less stress on teeth .

Benefits Of Composite Fillings

Composite fillings have many benefits over amalgam fillings.

  • They look more natural than amalgam fillings
  • They cause less tooth damage overall, such as stress fractures
  • They are long-lasting and cost-effective
  • The composite material is similar to the color of your teeth, making it virtually indistinguishable from your surrounding teeth
  • Quick and easy procedure
  • Can be used for repairing decayed or chipped/cracked teeth
  • More conservative as compared to other treatment options such as crowns or veneers
  • Strengthens weak areas in the tooth structure due to decay or fracture lines caused by trauma
  • Reduced post-operative sensitivity with composites, unlike silver amalgam fillings which can lead to hot and cold sensitivity issues
  • Minimal removal of healthy tooth structure is necessary when placing a composite filling

The Dental Filling Process

The procedure will begin with applying a local anesthetic to numb the area and keep you comfortable. To ensure you are comfortable, we use a special topical anesthetic and specific injection techniques to minimize discomfort during the administration of dental anesthesia. If you suffer from dental anxiety, please let Dr. Baughman know so he can discuss options like oral sedation or nitrous oxide with you. Our goal is to ensure you feel comfortable and relaxed during your procedure.

After the area is numb, Dr. Baughman will use a dental drill to drill into the tooth enamel and remove the decay from the affected tooth and prepare it for the filling material. The filling must bond with the tooth, so an isolation device is often used to isolate the tooth and keep it dry to ensure the composite filling bonds correctly.

The filling is then carefully sculpted and shaped to remove any excess material. A special ultraviolet light is used to harden the composite and finish the process. Lastly, the filling will be buffed and polished for a more natural finish.

Oral Hygiene After a Filling

Maintaining a regular dental care routine is essential for keeping your teeth and gums healthy. This includes brushing twice daily, flossing once daily, and visiting the dentist every six months for a checkup and professional cleaning. It is also important to have any cavities filled as soon as possible to prevent the spread of decay and further destruction to the tooth.

If a decaying tooth is not treated right away, it can lead to serious dental health issues. The decay can spread and cause further damage to the tooth, leading to infection and even tooth loss. Without treatment, the decay will continue to worsen until it reaches the nerve of the tooth, causing pain and discomfort. In some cases, an abscess may form at the site of the decay, which can be very painful and require more extensive treatment, like root canal therapy, a crown, or extraction if the tooth cannot be saved. In rare cases, dental infections can become life-threatening by spreading to other spaces in the head and neck. 

How Long Does the Procedure Take?

The filling procedure is usually done in one visit. The amount of time it takes to fill the cavity will depend on the severity of the decay and the size of the filling. 

Are Composite Fillings Safe?

Composite fillings are a safe and effective way to restore teeth damaged by cavities or other dental issues. As with any dental restoration, there are some risks, but composite fillings have been proven to be a safe and effective treatment for cavities.

The risks associated with composite fillings are very limited. However, there is a small risk of the filling becoming loose or dislodging over time. Composite fillings may cause slight tooth sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures, but this should go away after a few days. Additionally, if you grind your teeth at night or experience other habits throughout the day, this may cause the filling to wear down or become loose, and it may need to be replaced sooner.

The Best Composite Fillings

At Clearwater Dentistry, we use only the highest-quality composite materials available. This ensures that each filling is strong and durable enough to provide long-lasting protection for your teeth. Our composite fillings are BPA-free and look natural when applied. If you think you may need a filling or have any other dental concerns, please contact us today to schedule an appointment. To schedule an appointment, call (970) 515-3550 or complete the online booking form. For the best dentist in Greeley, CO, visit Clearwater Dentistry.

If you are searching for composite fillings near me, visit Clearwater Dentistry to see why we are the best dentist in Greeley, CO. We look forward to helping you achieve a healthy and beautiful smile!

The Best Composite Fillings

At Clearwater Dentistry, we use only the highest-quality composite materials available. This ensures that each filling is strong and durable enough to provide long-lasting protection for your teeth. Our composite fillings are BPA-free and look natural when applied. If you think you may need a filling or have any other dental concerns, please contact us today to schedule an appointment. To schedule an appointment, call (970) 515-3550 or complete the online booking form. For the best dentist in Greeley, CO, visit Clearwater Dentistry.

If you are searching for composite fillings near me, visit Clearwater Dentistry to see why we are the best dentist in Greeley, CO. We look forward to helping you achieve a healthy and beautiful smile!

Summary

  • Composite fillings are white dental fillings made of composite resin materials, a mixture of plastic and glass material.
  • The procedure involves:
    • Numbing the area 
    • Drilling into the enamel and removing the decay 
    • Filling the hole with composite material
    • Sculpting and shaping the filling 
    • Curing with an ultraviolet light 
    • Buffed and polished

Frequently Asked Questions

Can You Whiten Composite Fillings?

No, composite fillings cannot be whitened like natural teeth. If you are looking for a whiter smile, we offer professional teeth whitening services to help you achieve whiter, brighter teeth. Talk to us about our Philips In-office Zoom Whitening and custom teeth whitening trays.

Do Composite Fillings Require Any Special Care?

Composite fillings should be brushed and flossed just like your natural teeth. We recommend regular dental visits, check-ups, and cleanings to ensure the filling is sealed properly and your oral health is in optimal condition. If you notice any sensitivity or pain near the filling, please contact us right away to ensure there isn’t an issue with the material or its bonding.

Are Composite Fillings Covered by Insurance?

Many dental insurance plans contribute towards composite fillings to a certain percentage, but you should check with your insurance provider to see what is covered under your plan. We are happy to help you file any insurance claims and discuss payment options that may be available to you. We are currently an in-network provider for the following insurance providers:

Anthem BCBS, Aetna, Cigna, Connection Dental, Delta Dental, GEHA, Guardian, Humana, Metlife, United Concordia, and United Healthcare. We direct bill to these providers and collect the estimated out-of-pocket portion at the time of service. 

How Long After Composite Filling Can I Eat?

It is best to wait at least 2 hours after a composite filling, due to anesthesia. When the local anesthetic is still in effect, it may be difficult to eat, drink, and talk without accidentally biting or burning your cheeks, lips, or tongue. Please allow for anesthesia to completely wear off before attempting to eat or drink. After this time, you can eat and drink normally. Be sure to avoid any particularly sticky or chewy foods as they may cause your filling to loosen.

How Often Do Composite Fillings Need To Be Replaced?

Composite fillings are strong and durable but may need to be replaced due to regular wear and tear. We recommend getting your composite fillings checked at least once a year during your regular dental appointment. This will help you keep an eye on any potential damage or discoloration that may require replacement. With proper care, composite fillings can last 5-7 years or more.

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