Repair Minor Cavities and Damage with Conservative and Natural-looking Composite Fillings
If you’ve ever had chipped paint on your walls or car, you’d probably want the new paint to match. The same goes for dental fillings. For years, metal fillings were the standard treatment for tooth decay, even though they could ruin the appearance of your smile. Why should your smile be any different if you wouldn’t want a contrasting color on your car or house? At Our Town Dental, Dr. Jihae Yang believes your smile should match your expectations. That’s why we offer composite dental fillings in Peterborough, New Hampshire, that look great and feel natural.
Why do I need a composite filling?
Composite fillings are a versatile dental solution. Here are dental issues you can fix with tooth-colored fillings.
- Tooth decay: Composite fillings are an excellent option for small to medium-sized cavities. They bond directly to the tooth structure, providing added strength and support.
- Tooth damage: White fillings can repair cracked, chipped, or worn-out teeth, restoring their function and appearance. These fillings can also address black triangles caused by gum recession.
- Stains: Composite fillings can cover stubborn discoloration, giving you a brilliantly white smile.
How are tooth fillings placed?
Placing dental fillings is simple and quick. Your treatment starts with an examination of your tooth with dental x-rays. We’ll establish the extent of damage and determine if only a filling is needed. If so, we’ll numb your gums with local anesthetics to ensure a painless dental experience. Then, we’ll gently remove your tooth’s decayed/damaged portions and clean the area thoroughly to remove all traces of harmful bacteria. Next, the dentist will fill your tooth with a resin material and carefully mold it into the shape of your natural tooth.
We will then harden the filling with a special light, a process that takes a few minutes. Lastly, we’ll make a few adjustments to your filling until your bite feels natural. Your treated tooth regains immediate function and appearance. However, avoid chewing or consuming hot substances until the anesthesia wears off to avoid accidentally burning or biting your soft tissues.
What are the benefits of tooth-colored fillings?
Metal fillings were widely used years ago but have now fallen out of favor for several reasons. Some concerns about amalgam fillings include extensive enamel loss, mercury toxicity, and unnatural appearance.
Dentists have switched to composite fillings because they offer the following benefits.
- Aesthetics: The aesthetic concern for metal fillings is plain to see. Amalgam fillings stand out every time you smile or talk. Composite fillings can be colored to match your natural teeth. They blend seamlessly with the entire smile, leaving no sign of dental work.
- Safety: Composite fillings are made from materials without known safety concerns. The fillings are also biocompatible and don’t cause any allergic reactions.
- Temperature resistance: Composite fillings have similar biomechanical properties to natural enamel. They can expand and contract with the natural changes in your tooth over time, minimizing the risk of the filling cracking or falling out, making them a long-lasting solution for dental repairs.
- Minimally invasive: Composite fillings require less removal of healthy tooth structure compared to other materials. This preserves more of your natural tooth, prolonging its durability.
Do you need dental fillings?
Are you interested in tooth fillings? Call (603) 567-4955 and schedule an appointment with Our Town Dental. Our Peterborough office serves several locations, including Keene, Jaffrey, Rindge, New Ipswich, Dublin, Antrim, and beyond.
