Why Choose Composite Fillings? Benefits of this Tooth-Colored Option
Everyone loves to have a beautiful smile. However, our teeth aren’t just for our appearance. Teeth are vital tools we use for survival when we eat. Keeping them healthy is one of the most important things we can do for our health. In the past, if you had a cavity, you may have gotten silver amalgam fillings. With modern dental advances, you can now get your cavities filled with tooth-colored composite resin. But are composite fillings safe? Keep reading to find out.
What Are Composite Fillings?
Composite fillings are made using a special acrylic resin. The resin is made with glass filler ground down to a powdered form. Composite fillings are designed to be the same color as your natural teeth, so they blend flawlessly with your smile.
What Are the Benefits of Composite Fillings?
Besides making your smile more gorgeous, you’ll also enjoy these benefits of composite fillings:
- Affordable: Composite fillings are a more affordable option than crowns, inlays, or onlays.
- Strong: Composite fillings are strong enough to support your natural tooth structure because they are bonded to the tooth.
- One-visit placement: There’s no need to make multiple trips to the dentist. With composite fillings, your dentist will place them on your first visit.
Is Composite Resin Just for Cavities?
The good news is that while white composite resin fillings are perfect for filling a cavity, this material can also be used for resolving a few different dental issues, including chipped, fractured, or decayed teeth.
Are Composite Fillings Better Than Amalgam Fillings?
Many people prefer composite fillings over amalgam fillings. One reason many people don’t like metal fillings is that they’re not the color of your teeth, so they’re visible in your smile. Equally important, composite fillings don’t contain mercury like some of the old filling materials may have had.
Do Composite Fillings Hurt?
Composite fillings do not hurt. During your procedure, the dentist will use a local anesthetic, and you’ll remain numb for an hour or two after you leave the office. Some people feel mild sensitivity in a filled tooth when they consume cold or hot foods and beverages. If you still have sensitivity for more than a couple of days after your visit, be sure to call your dentist.
How Long Do Composite Fillings Last?
Most patients can expect their composite fillings to last between five and ten years, depending on how well they’re cared for. Oral hygiene, as well as the size and location of the filling, play a role.
How Can I Make My Composite Fillings Last Longer?
The best thing you can do for your teeth and gums is to practice good oral hygiene by brushing your teeth twice daily and flossing at least once daily. These habits will help you keep your fillings healthy. Also, be sure to see the dentist twice a year for checkups.
Are Composite Fillings safe? Thibodaux, LA, has solutions for you.
To learn more about your options for composite dental fillings, get in touch with Dr. Jared Palmer and the team at Acadia Family Dentistry in Thibodaux, Louisiana. Call us today at (985) 303-2920 or use our online form to book your appointment.
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