While amalgam fillings are sturdy, these metal fillings are not aesthetically pleasing and produce concerns about mercury poisoning. That is why we use composite fillings in our practice. They match the color of the surrounding teeth and protect the tooth from further decay. The following information details how these fillings work.
What Is a Composite Filling?
A resin composite filling is a tooth-colored filling that is used to fill smaller cavities. While it needs to be replaced more often than a silver amalgam filling, it blends in well with the teeth and provides a practical and cosmetic solution for filling a cavity. The filling, which is made of a plastic and ceramic compound, easily adheres to a tooth's surface. However, the process does take longer, as it involves a couple more steps than filling a cavity with a traditional filling material. Because the filling preserves more of the natural tooth, less drilling is involved.
What Happens When You Get a Filling?
To fill the tooth with a composite, we first remove the decay. If we are replacing a filling, we use the drill to remove the worn-out filling. We may spray some water or air on the tooth to keep it clean before suctioning the debris. Afterwards, we place a bonding material and cure it before adding the composite material to the tooth. We use a blue light to harden the composite. We then shape the filling to accommodate your bite. If you want to fill a cavity with an affordable cosmetic restoration, a composite filling is a good choice. You lose less of the natural tooth, due to drilling, while enhancing your smile.
If you want to know more about tooth-colored restorations, we can answer your questions. These fillings are more expensive than amalgam fillings, but preferred, as they are less noticeable and safer to use. Also, some insurance plans will not pay the full cost for a composite. Therefore, check your policy to see how much your insurance will pay. You cannot wait to have a cavity filled, as it will only get bigger over time. As time goes by, the expense of the restoration increases as well. That is why we urge that you take care of any decay immediately. Give us a call for a cleaning and checkup today.
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