Composite dental fillings are one of the popular ways to deal with tooth decay nowadays. These restorations do not last forever, but they can last up to 10 years with good oral hygiene. Composites can be color-matched with your teeth so that any repairs made with them blend in with the rest of your teeth. Such benefits are why a growing number of people choose composite dental fillings over alternatives like silver amalgam fillings.
Tooth decay starts with tiny holes called cavities forming on teeth surfaces. This can lead to toothaches and increased sensitivity. Fortunately, cavities are quite easy to treat and fillings are the standard solution.
For over a century, silver amalgam fillings were the go-to treatment for cavities but these contain mercury, which is now known to be toxic. Silver mercury fillings also have a dark grey color and they ruin the aesthetics of teeth. Teeth repaired with silver amalgam fillings tend to have a decayed look to them.
Composite resin fillings have emerged as a popular alternative due to better compatibility with the body, their affordability and how easy it is to match their color with the patient’s teeth.
Getting composite fillings starts with the dentist administering a shot of a local anesthetic. This prevents the patient from feeling pain as the dentist works on their damaged tooth. The dentist starts by removing decayed material from the tooth. The area is cleaned and disinfected.
An etching solution might be used to roughen the tooth’s surface before applying the composite to it. This leads to a better bond with the composite. The composite is applied to the tooth in layers and molded as desired until the dentist is happy with the results. The composite is hardened with ultraviolet light and polished to give it a nice shine like real teeth. It takes about 45 minutes to repair a decayed tooth with composite resin.
Other types of fillings that can be used to treat tooth decay include:
Dealing with decayed teeth? Give us a call or visit our Marietta clinic to set up an appointment with our dentist.
Request an appointment here: https://www.mariettadentalsmiles.com or call Marietta Dental Smiles at (770) 200-4988 for an appointment in our Marietta office.
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Composite Fillings in Marietta, GA.
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