Amalgam and composite fillings are the most commonly used fillings today. They fill cavities and restore the appearance and strength of your teeth.

Composite fillings are preferred due to their natural appearance and durability when compared to other types of fillings.

In this article, our dental care experts at Diana Dizik, D.D.S., General & Cosmetic Dentistry in San Mateo, California, share more information on composite fillings and their benefits.

Composite Fillings

These tooth-colored fillings are made of plastic (acrylic) resin combined with powdered glass that gives the tooth restoration a natural appearance.

The composite resin material is not only used for fillings but also for veneers, crowns, inlays, or to restore or repair chipped teeth.

Process

All dental treatments have their own different processes and getting a composite filling includes the following steps:

• First, the dentist will choose the right shade of composite resin that matches your teeth.
• After that, the area around the tooth to be filled is numbed using a numbing agent to eliminate pain and discomfort during the procedure.
• The decayed part of the tooth is then removed by drilling into the tooth enamel.
• The tooth is prepared for the filling after proper cleaning and drying.
• The composite filling is added layer by layer to the hole in the tooth and each layer is hardened using a dental curing light.
• The tooth is then shaped, contoured, and polished, after which the dentist will also check your bite to eliminate the possibility of discomfort with the restoration.

Benefits

Some of the benefits of composite fillings are:

• They are quite durable and can last for about 7 years
• The natural tooth-colored appearance helps them blend in with your natural teeth
• The procedure requires only one dental visit
• They are fracture-resistant and can fix minor as well as major damage
• Temperature sensitivity after the procedure is common but usually lasts only for a short period
• Composite fillings also have a few drawbacks, such as:
• It takes longer to place a composite filling as the material needs to be layered
• Your tooth must be completely dry before the procedure
• Composite fillings can be expensive
  
  

If you would like to know more about composite fillings, contact Diana Dizik, D.D.S., General & Cosmetic Dentistry by calling (650) 348-5424 or visiting us at 720 N El Camino Real, San Mateo, CA 94401.