Composite Fillings Near You
Regardless of how well you take care of your teeth, you may need to receive a filling at some point in your life. Tooth decay is rather common, and fillings are one of the most common fixes.
For more than a century, dentists have been using silver amalgam (a mixture of mercury, silver, tin, zinc, and copper) for tooth fillings. As concerns increase over the use of amalgam, composite fillings continue to become more and more common.
Amalgam fillings are silver, which means they can stand out in your mouth. Composite fillings are tooth-coloured, blend in well with teeth, and can be applied at a reasonable price in one sitting.
Interested in Composite Fillings Near You?
Composite fillings—otherwise known as white, or plastic fillings—are made out of a composite resin which is a combination of plastic and glass compounds. They can be coloured to match the tooth that is being filled, which is a particular benefit of seeking composite fillings in Vaughan, ON. Dentists apply the resin as a paste and shape the paste into the cavity that’s being filled. It dries in layers and is a relatively straightforward process.
Do You Need a Dental Filling?
Your dentist will decide if you need a filling. If they spot signs of significant tooth decay, such as a cavity, or if a tooth is cracked or broken, you’ll most likely need a filling. Tooth decay occurs when plaque builds up for too long on your teeth. The plaque feeds off sugars in your diet and produces acid that further erodes tooth structure. Decay breaks through the outer layer of enamel, leaving sensitive parts of your teeth exposed. This can be extremely painful and contribute to further decay if left untreated, often requiring root canal procedure. When patients visit our office for dental fillings near you, they protect the tooth’s structure and allow it to return to its normal function.
There are two types of fillings: direct and indirect. Indirect fillings include crowns and caps that are made in a lab to fit your tooth and take several appointments to finish. Composites are a type of direct filling. These go directly into the cavity after the decay has been cleared out and harden quickly enough that you only need one appointment.
Are Composite Fillings Right for You?
There are two main factors that will help you make the right decision on whether a composite filling is right for you. The first one is budget. If you’re looking for a cost-effective alternative to porcelain fillings, you’ve come to the right place. Ideally, people want fillings that are discrete enough that they won’t stand out; however, using porcelain can be quite expensive. A composite filling then is a much more reasonably priced option. The other determinant is the area of your mouth that the filling will go. Dentists don’t recommend using composite fillings for your back teeth. These teeth bite down hard, which often requires a more durable filling than the composite compound.
What is the Procedure for Composite Fillings?
First, the dentist will administer a local anesthetic to ensure patients experience no pain. To place a composite, your dentist will clear out the decay and then paste a bonding glue. Once the glue is set, the composite is then placed in the hole in thin layers, which hardens under a specialized light. The dentist then shapes the composite to fit your tooth, so it looks natural and then polishes it to prevent any wear and tear.
Advantages of Composite Fillings
When you visit our dental office for composite fillings near you, the most obvious benefit is aesthetics. People like the way they look because they are closer to the natural colour of a tooth, so it isn’t obvious that you have had any major work done. This can give great comfort to patients worried about how their teeth will look.
Aesthetics aside, composites bond directly to the tooth, which provides further support to your weakened tooth, and also means the procedure can be carried out in one visit. There is also no mercury in the compound, which reduces the presence of toxicity and therefore reduces the risk of further decay.
Contact Us Today
If you are interested in composite fillings in Vaughan, ON, contact us today. We are proud to offer composite fillings near you.