A dental cavity requires immediate attention and treatment to prevent the spread of infection into the deeper layers of your tooth. While restoring a tooth, it is essential to pay attention to the durability of the restoration. But what about its appearance?
To help improve and restore the aesthetics of the damaged tooth, Cosmetic dentistry in Houston, TX, offers composite fillings. These are popular tooth-colored restorations that repair a damaged tooth to its original form, function, and appearance. Let us delve into these popular dental cements to be well-informed.
A comprehensive guide to composite fillings
A composite filling is a type of dental material made of a plastic resin and mixed with a powdered glass filler. The filling is placed within the cleaned and prepared tooth surface and hardened by a light-cured special glue. The material hardens through a process called polymerization.
Uses:
- Chipped or cracked teeth
- Diastema (space or gaps in between your teeth)
- Dental decay in the visible areas of your mouth
- Teeth that are worn out due to attrition (aging), increased masticatory forces, or bruxism (involuntary, persistent clenching and grinding of the teeth)
Compelling benefits of a composite filling
Composite fillings offer the following benefits when used for teeth with mild to moderate dental decay:
Aesthetically superior
- Composite fillings are tooth-colored restorations and easily blend with your natural tooth structure, making them virtually visible. This enhances the appearance of the tooth.
Directly bond to the tooth enamel
- Composite fillings bond directly to the enamel surface, thus establishing a stronger seal.
Does not contain mercury
- Mercury is toxic and can be harmful to the body when ingested.
- Composite fillings do not contain mercury, unlike amalgam restorations, thus preventing the risk of allergic reactions.
Preserves the tooth structure
- Composite fillings do not require extensive tooth preparation. This preserves most of the tooth structure and its overall strength and resilience.
- Composites can halt the disease progression into deeper layers of the tooth by sealing it. This significantly reduces your need for extensive dental procedures.
Acts as a shield against dental caries
- Composite fillings contain fluorides that help prevent the development of caries in the future.
Are stain-resistant
- The resin present in composite fillings does not stain the teeth, thereby making it stain-resistant.
Offers excellent durability and strength
- The composite material hardens through polymerization, which improves the strength and resilience of composites.
Quick procedure
- Getting composite fillings is a quick and painless procedure that usually takes 10 to 15 minutes.
Closure
Composite fillings are tooth-colored, durable restorations that are increasingly popular among dentists and patients globally. They offer a cascade of benefits that increase their popularity in dentistry. Consult your dentist if you are considering composites for your tooth cavity.
