Book Appointment
Composite fillings are among the most requested treatments by modern dentists for filling cavities, restoring teeth, and even enhancing beauty. Here’s how a composite filling procedure works and what to expect when you visit your dentist at Robstown Smiles.
What is Composite Filling?
Composite Filling is tooth colored filling which is used majorly these days due to its aesthetic value and more biocompatibility compared to silver amalgam which has toxic mercury.
The difference between Composite Filling and Silver Amalgam
A difference between composite fillings and the classic silver amalgam filling is that composite fillings are tooth colored fillings, ideal for filling front or visible teeth.
Composite Filling Procedure
1. Consultation and Examination
The first step is the extensive dental checkup. Your dentist will scrutinize the affected tooth to determine whether a composite filling is the best for you. X-rays will be taken to ascertain the depth of decay or damage, especially areas not visible by the naked eye.
2. Preparation and Numbing
Once your dentist is sure you require a composite filling, he will anesthetize the area surrounding the tooth in which the filling is going to take place. This way, you would feel no pain at all. Some very small fillings do not require the administration of a local anesthetic, but most do, especially if the cavity goes rather deep.
3. Removing the Decay
After numbing, your dentist will mostly use specific dental instruments to remove the parts of the tooth that have become decayed or damaged. In this step, they clean out the cavity to prepare it for the composite material. The dentist will make sure he or she leaves as much of your original tooth structure intact.
4. Composite Material Application
Once the tooth is cleaned and prepared, layers of the composite resin will be applied. The dentist will choose a shade of composite that matches your natural tooth color very closely so that the result is as unobtrusive as possible. Each layer of composite is carefully applied and shaped to restore the tooth to its natural contour.
5. Curing the Filling
For each layer, a curing light will be applied to set the composite material in place. The curing light activates chemical bonds within the composite material, thus ensuring that the composite material sets firmly into its location. The dentist repeats the process layer by layer until the filling is completed.
6. Shaping and Polishing
The composite filling will then have definitive shaping and trimming for an excellent fit and proper occlusal harmony. All tags at the margin should be smoothed, and the surface should be lustrously polished like that of your other teeth.
7. Final adjustments with checking the bite
Before you leave, your dentist will check that your bite is correct by making sure that the filling is not obstructing your other teeth. If necessary, minor adjustments are made ensuring no high spots are present and that your bite feels right.
8. After Treatment Care
It would be normal to experience a small degree of sensitivity in the treated tooth after the procedure; this usually settles down within a few days. Your dentist will also provide you with some aftercare guidelines, such as not eating too much on the first 24 hours in terms of hard or sticky foods.
Advantages of Composite Fillings
Composite fillings have several advantages:
- The filling material is tooth colored and can, therefore, blend well with your natural teeth, making it almost invisible.
- Composites aren’t as durable as amalgam, though they can last for many years if the patient cares for the restoration properly.
- Another advantage of composite resin is that it can be used for slight chips and small cracks and can even be used to correct a variety of aesthetic flaws.
Conclusion
Composite fillings combine both functional and aesthetic restorations that provide a very natural appearance. If you think you may need a filling or if you have an old silver filling, contact your dentist at Robstown Smiles to learn more about the composite filling procedure and its benefits for your smile.