Composite Fillings | Boerne
Looks Natural, Lasts Longer
At Complete Dental Studio, we offer composite fillings that blend in with the natural color of your tooth and last longer than traditional metal fillings.
What Are Composite Fillings?
Composite — or tooth-colored — fillings are a type of dental restoration that uses a composite material to restore the shape and function of a tooth that has been damaged due to decay or injury.
The composite material matches the natural color of your tooth and is used to fill cavities and replace old amalgam fillings. Dr. Thompson or Dr. Alghadban can also use these minimally invasive fillings to repair chips and cracks with minimal pain and less removal of your natural tooth structure.
This type of filling typically uses composite resin, which bonds to your tooth, making these tooth-colored fillings highly durable, aesthetically pleasing, and the preferred choice of many dentists.
Composite Fillings Vs. Metal Fillings
For decades, silver amalgam was the go-to filling material for dentists. However, with advancements in dental technology, patients now have another option: tooth-colored composite fillings.
Let’s look at the differences between these two types of fillings.
Comfort
In addition to their cosmetic benefits, composite fillings are also minimally invasive because the tooth-colored composite material bonds easily with natural teeth, allowing for more preservation of the patient’s natural tooth structure.
This means that patients in Boerne, TX, can receive fillings with less drilling, resulting in a more comfortable and faster experience.
Color
While silver amalgam is a durable material, it does come with some drawbacks. Firstly, it is silver in color, and over time, the color can darken, which can be unappealing.
Composite fillings, on the other hand, can be matched to the natural shade of the patient’s teeth, providing a more aesthetically pleasing result.
Safety
Moreover, composite fillings are a safer alternative to silver amalgam, which contains small amounts of mercury.
Although the risk of toxicity from mercury in amalgam fillings is low, many patients prefer to avoid any potential risks. Composite fillings are made of a mixture of plastic and glass, making them a safer and more biocompatible option.
How Tooth-Colored Fillings Work
While the process of getting a composite filling is similar to getting any other type of filling, working with composite materials requires a different approach than amalgam.
Step 1: Assessment
Dr. Thompson or Dr. Alghadban will begin by assessing the extent of the decay and removing any decayed or damaged tooth structure, just as with any other filling. However, when it comes to composite fillings, they must also take into account the tooth’s color, shape, and contour.
Step 2: Application
After removing the decay, our dentists will clean the tooth surface and apply a composite material that closely matches the natural color of your teeth. Composite materials are a type of dental material made of a mixture of resin and filler, which can be color-matched to your natural tooth color so that it’s virtually indistinguishable from the natural tooth.
Step 3: Bonding
Composite fillings form a strong bond with your tooth structure by creating a tight seal that helps to prevent further decay or damage. In contrast, amalgam fillings require the dentist to remove more of the healthy tooth structure to create a secure fit.
This requires less drilling time, which can make the process more comfortable and less intimidating. In addition, composite fillings are less likely to cause sensitivity or discomfort after placement, which can be a common side effect of amalgam fillings.
Conclusion
Overall, composite fillings are an excellent option if you want to maintain the natural appearance of your teeth while still receiving effective treatment for cavities or other dental issues.
Benefits of Composite Fillings
Reduced Discomfort
Minimally invasive fillings require much less drilling than traditional fillings, which reduces the amount of discomfort you experience and lowers the risk of tooth sensitivity.
Tooth Preservation
As minimally invasive fillings require less drilling, they also preserve more of your healthy tooth structure.
Natural Appearance
Minimally invasive fillings are not as noticeable as traditional fillings because they’re made of tooth-colored materials that blend in with the rest of the tooth.
Faster Treatment
Minimally invasive fillings require less time in the dental chair than traditional fillings — so you can receive treatment and get back to your life more quickly.
Cost Savings
Minimally invasive fillings generally last longer than traditional fillings, meaning that you may not need to replace them as often as metal ones. This can result in significant cost savings over time.