Restorative Dentistry: The Benefits of Composite Fillings

Dental work doesn’t have to be obvious or unsightly. Composite fillings make it possible to enjoy the protection that restorations provide without affecting the appearance of your smile. If you have a cavity or two that require treatment, you might be surprised to learn how beneficial composite fillings are to your oral health.

What is a Composite Filling?

A composite filling is a small, tooth-colored restoration used to treat minor areas of tooth decay. It is made from a resin comprised of plastic and glass. A composite filling can be tinted to match the exact color of your teeth. Receiving a composite filling isn’t very different from receiving a traditional amalgam filling. This procedure is minimally invasive and only requires local anesthetic to maintain patient comfort during treatment.

Tooth decay requires professional treatment. Unlike a bone, a tooth cannot regenerate new tissue to self-heal once it is permanently damaged. If a cavity goes untreated, it can deepen into the tooth and ultimately cause extensive damage, infections, and tooth loss.

Benefits of Tooth-Colored Fillings

The most obvious benefit of tooth-colored fillings is the fact that they provide undetectable protection for damaged tooth structure. Since composite fillings are customizable to match teeth, patients can enjoy dental work that won’t negatively affect one’s self-image.

Another benefit to composite fillings is the fact that they effectively treat tooth decay. A composite filling stops decay from widening and deepening into the tooth. These restorations can last for a decade or longer, too.

A unique advantage to choosing composite resin is that the compound used for this type of filling bonds very well to biological dental structure. Since composite bonds better than amalgam, less tooth removal is needed to place the filling.

For those concerned with exposure to trace amounts of mercury or those with allergies to metal, composite resin is a viable alternative to conventional restorative materials.

If you’re in need of restorative dental work, we encourage you to schedule a consultation with our dentist, Dr. Barry Buchanan. Our practice can provide effective treatment that won’t negatively affect the appearance of your smile.

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