Cavities? Restore the Health and Beauty of Your Smile with Composite Fillings

Try as you may to maintain a healthy mouth, but there may come a time when you get cavities. Tooth pain, sensitivity, and discoloration are typical cavity symptoms. Early cavity treatment is key to saving a decayed tooth. At Advance Dental Arts Center in West Linn, Oregon, Dr. Kim Wright treats cavities with composite tooth-colored fillings. Composite restorations will restore your tooth’s health without compromising your smile’s beauty.

About Composite Restorations

Fillings are the go-to treatment for cavities, with silver amalgam and composite restorations being the two main choices for restoring decayed teeth. Today, many dentists prefer composite fillings due to their excellent restorative qualities. 

Unlike amalgam fillings, which contain metal, composite fillings are composed of an acrylic-powdered glass mix that bonds directly with your teeth to form a protective shield against cavities. The composite material is applied in layers to your tooth, with each layer being dried with a special light before the next one is applied. After the last layer has hardened on your tooth, your West Linn dentist will shape and polish your restoration to give it a clean, natural look.

Advantages of Choosing Composite Tooth-Colored Fillings

One of the biggest advantages of composite restorations is their tooth-colored appearance. Silver fillings stand out when you open your mouth due to their metallic color. In contrast, composite fillings are less conspicuous when you smile, as they blend in with the natural color of your teeth. Your smile will not only be healthier after composite restorations but also look natural. 

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Other advantages include:

Stronger, less sensitive teeth – By bonding tightly to your teeth, composite fillings strengthen their structure to prevent chipping and breakage. This same bond insulates your tooth against sensitivity to hot and cold foods and drinks.

Less drilling – Composite fillings don’t require as much drilling as silver amalgam fillings. By drilling less, we can preserve more of your tooth’s natural structure. The entire process can be completed quickly and painlessly in one dental visit. 

Durability – Composite restorations can withstand years of biting and chewing due to their durability. They can be used to treat decay in either your front or back teeth. If the filling gets chipped or broken, there’s a good chance it can be repaired instead of having the entire filling removed and starting anew. 

Mercury- and metal-free – Composite tooth-colored fillings are mercury- and metal-free. If you have metal allergies or don’t feel comfortable using a filling that contains mercury, composite fillings offer an alternative to silver amalgam fillings for treating decayed teeth. 

Easy maintenance and care – Composite restorations don’t require special maintenance or care to keep them in good shape. You should, however, avoid chewing on ice or eating hard foods as it could chip your filling, not to mention crack your tooth.  

To schedule an appointment for composite filling cavity treatment, contact Dr. Kim Wright of Advance Dental Arts Center in West Linn, OR, at (503) 694-4776.