What Are Composite Dental Fillings? Reasons For Using Them

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what are composite fillings and reason for using them

Dentists have been recommending dental fillings to their patients for many years. Why? Because it’s a good way to help a tooth that has a cavity properly heal and restore its natural function.

A common method in the past was to provide silver amalgam dental fillings because this type of material is very durable and affordable. As of late, more and more people tend to prefer materials that aren’t as readily noticeable when they smile, which is why composite dental fillings have soared in popularity.

Here at Playa Family Dentistry, we provide composite fillings in Citrus Park. To learn more about this restorative treatment, please feel free to give our dentist near you can a call today!

Composite Fillings Explained

Also called tooth-colored fillings, composite fillings are used to reliably repair teeth that have been damaged by decay, cracks, or fractures. This unique type of fillings is made from a combination of plastic and glassand are designed to match the natural shade of your teeth, making them virtually invisible when you smile, laugh, eat, or talk.

Composite fillings are a suitable alternative to traditional metal fillings because they provide a more aesthetically pleasing result. Tooth-colored fillings can also be used to repair any tooth in your mouth. You can also speak to your dentist in Carrollwood about swapping out your old metal fillings for a more natural-looking result.

The process of installing a composite filling involves removing the unhealthy portion of the tooth, cleaning the area, and then layering the composite material in small increments until the desired shape and size is achieved. The material is then solidified with a special light. Your dentist will polish your tooth and check that everything is in order before letting you go.

Whenever you have questions, whether it’s before, during, or at the end of your visit, don’t be shy in letting your dental team know. They’ll be more than happy to explain. It is your smile, after all, and you have the right to understand what’s being done to help preserve it.

Advantages of Composite Fillings Near You

Recipients of tooth-colored fillings can experience several benefits, including but not limited to those noted below:

  • Minimal removal of tooth structure:Only a small amount of your healthy tooth structure is removed during placement, which helps to preserve more of the natural tooth and manage any sensitivity.
  • Bonding strength: Composite fillings bond directly to your tooth, thereby strengthening the entire tooth and preventing further structural harm from occurring.
  • Less sensitivity:Unlike with traditional metal fillings, which can cause sensitivity to hot or cold items, tooth-colored fillings are less likely to have this effect.
  • Versatile:The filling materials used to repair both front and back teeth.
  • Safe: Composite fillings do not contain any mercury, which is a concern for some patients with amalgam fillings as the latter is made up of a combination of metals, including mercury.
  • Aesthetics:As the name clearly illustrates, these dental fillings arefabricated toseamlessly blend in with the rest of your natural smile. This can help boost your confidence because they’ll be no need to feel embarrassed at having receive dental treatment.

Overall, composite fillings are a great option to keep in mind if you need to restore your smile, whether aesthetically, structurally, or both. Unfortunately, this method of treatment is not necessarily suitable for all patients, so you’ll need to book a consultation with your dentist to learn more. They’ll be able to identify the best option for your case.

Ready to Book an Appointment?

If acquiring a composite filling in Carrollwood sounds like something you’re interested in, we encourage you to contact our staff when you can. Our dentists, hygienists, and administrative personnel are all here to help you get your smile back to optimal oral health.

To schedule an appointment at a time that works for you, you can give our local dental practice a call, fill out the request form on our company website, or you can drop by our clinic to talk to a team member in person. We hope to see you very soon!