Dental Composite Fillings in Houston, Texas
For patients requiring restoration of the health and integrity of a damaged tooth, a dental filling may be the solution. Addressing tooth damage and decay early on makes a substantial difference by stopping deterioration and reducing the risk of further complications. If you have a chipped, cracked, broken, or worn down tooth, a filling can repair the shape and function by bringing a tooth back to its original form. A dental filling can also effectively treat problems of tooth decay when utilized to fill holes left by dental cavities.
What is a composite filling?
Determining whether or not a dental filling can help to restore the health and beauty of your smile begins with a visit to our Champions Dental offices. During your appointment, we’ll discuss your options to repair your teeth and get your smile looking its best.
A composite dental filling is one of the options for a dental filling that can rejuvenate your smile. This option provides a customized solution, boasting the added benefit of being able to match your surrounding teeth, thus optimizing the cosmetic appearance. The tooth-colored material provides a reconstructive, durable, supportive fix that preserves the beauty of your teeth. Out of the many types of filling materials available, a composite filling is the most common and preferred among dentists and patients. Made of a ceramic and plastic compound, this filling material chemically binds to the tooth, restoring loss of structure caused by decay or physical damage to the tooth. The safety of the materials makes a composite filling a favorable alternative to an amalgam, or metal alloy, filling.
Composite veneers done by Dr. Garza
What is the procedure for a composite filling?
Consultation
A dental composite filling begins with a comprehensive assessment of your teeth by our dental team. By measuring any physical damage a tooth has sustained, we can determine whether or not the structural integrity has been affected. Not only can this interfere with overall strength, stability, and cosmetics, but it could contribute to further complications down the road. Radiographic images and a closer look at signs of decay will help us verify any cavities that may need to be treated with a composite filling.
Procedure
After your dental assessment, we’ll schedule an appointment for your dental filling. At the beginning of your procedure, your dentist will apply a local anesthetic to numb the area being treated. For fillings used to treat cavities and tooth decay, the decayed portion of the tooth will be removed with a special instrument. Once this is complete, the area will be probed to make sure all tooth decay has been removed, then cleaned to prepare for the composite filling material.
Multilayering Process
Applying the composite material takes place with a multilayering process. In order to match the shape of your surrounding teeth and adequately fill the space, the composite filling will be applied in thin layers, with each layer being hardened, or cured, with a special light. Once all layers have been placed, your dentist will shape and polish the filled tooth to achieve a natural look.
Champions Dental for Your Composite Fillings
At Champions Dental, we believe a healthy, beaming smile goes hand in hand with overall health and leads to a more confident you. Our team prides itself on providing premier dental services for our family of patients. Using our more than 15 years of experience, expertise, and the most advanced treatment techniques, we offer our patients an unmatched level of care as we meet their dental needs.
Visit our team at Champions Dental today to discuss composite fillings or call to schedule your first appointment. Your beautiful smile awaits!
Frequently Asked Questions
How do dental composite fillings compare with amalgam fillings?
Composite fillings are made of a ceramic and plastic compound, which gives them the ability to have different shades, thus matching the color of a natural tooth. These types of fillings are chemically bonded to the tooth. Amalgam fillings, on the other hand, are made of a metal alloy. Though the procedure is similar for both, an amalgam filling requires the removal of more tooth structure since it involves mechanical retention. It’s important to note that each type of filling may cause sensitivity after treatment.
What are the most common and best composite filling materials?
The best filling material is no filling material. Nothing is better than your God-given tooth structure, which is why proper oral hygiene is essential. Having said that, composite fillings are made up of core materials of small and large particles of ground amorphous silica and quartz. At Champions Dental, we utilize the most-researched materials when performing a composite filling procedure.
Can dental composite fillings cause side effects?
A possible side effect of a composite filling is sensitivity. For a large composite filling, sensitivity may last 4-6 weeks for some patients. However, most patients experience no sensitivity at all. This type of procedure is technique-sensitive. The appropriate attention to detail and dental expertise minimize any discomfort felt during or after the procedure.
Are composite dental fillings safe?
Yes, they are safe and provide excellent durability and resistance to fracture. Composite fillings are designed to take on a lot of force for chewing and are a great choice when patients want a more natural looking solution to restoring form and function to damaged teeth.
Do composite dental fillings contain BPA?
Yes, most composite dental fillings contain BPA as a degradation by-product and trace amounts of BPA are found in fabricating dental composites. Having said that, studies have shown that the amount present is insufficient to cause harm to the body. After the placement of the filling or sealant, the release of BPA is at its maximum. If your dentist polishes the sealant or filling, the chances of BPA release are significantly decreased.
Are composite dental fillings covered by insurance companies?
Yes, composite fillings are covered by most insurance companies. However, it’s best to check with your insurance provider to determine your specific coverage. In some cases, insurance companies decide to only cover amalgam fillings. It’s important to note that most dentists do not provide these types of fillings due to the mercury content in the material.
Can composite dental fillings cause sensitivity in the mouth?
Yes, composite and silver fillings may cause sensitivity. Composite fillings are technique-sensitive and are dependent on moisture control and whether or not your dentist follows all manufacturing instructions with the etch, bond, and filling material. Provided your dentist follows all necessary steps, including using incremental layering to minimize post op sensitivity and taking the oxygen inhibiting layer into account after curing the final composite, any discomfort after the procedure will be minimized.