Preserve Natural Teeth And Optimal Oral Health with Composite Dental Fillings
Dr. Ban R. Barbat proudly offers tooth-colored (composite) fillings to patients in and around Shelby Township, Michigan. Unlike the metal fillings of the past, composite fillings look and feel natural. Once Dr. Barbat and her team repair your tooth with a filling, there will be no evidence of dental work!
How are composite fillings placed?
A filling fills the hole left by decay or damage to prevent further tooth damage. The procedure starts by examining your tooth with dental x-rays. Dr. Barbat wants to ascertain whether the damage is superficial. If it’s too deep, you may need other advanced treatments (crown or root canal) for optimal results.
If only a filling is needed, she will numb your gums with local anesthetics. This ensures you don’t feel any pain during treatment. Next, Dr. Barbat will gently remove the decayed portions of the tooth and thoroughly clean the area to eradicate all harmful bacteria. Then, we’ll fill the tooth with composite resin and sculpt it to the desired shape.
A composite filling can be easily molded in its raw form but hardens within minutes when illuminated with a special light. Next, Dr. Barbat will make a few adjustments to your filling until your bite feels natural. The final step is to polish your tooth to achieve a glossy, natural finish. That’s it! Your tooth can chew and bite without pain or sensitivity.
What are the benefits of composite fillings?
In the past, amalgam fillings were the gold standard for repairing cavities. While these fillings are cheap and durable, they look unnatural and have safety concerns. Composite fillings are the modern approach for addressing tooth decay and damage.
These tooth-colored fillings offer numerous benefits, including:
- Natural appearance: Composite fillings are colored like your teeth, ensuring they blend seamlessly with your entire smile. They don’t stand out like metal fillings, so you can smile and talk confidently without worrying about the appearance of your teeth.
- Safety: Composites have no known safety concerns. They are safe for your oral and overall health.
- Conservativeness: Placing metal fillings involves removing huge chunks of your tooth, leaving your tooth vulnerable to cracks and fractures. Filling your tooth with composite fillings is minimally invasive. The dentist only removes a small portion of your tooth, ensuring we conserve as much healthy structure as possible.
- Better protection: Composite chemically bonds with the tooth, sealing it entirely against bacterial infiltrations.
How do I maintain my dental fillings?
Our fillings are resilient enough to withstand daily mechanical loads of chewing and grinding. While dental fillings can last 5-8 years, proper maintenance is vital.
To make the most of your fillings, please follow these guidelines.
- Brush your teeth twice daily with fluoride toothpaste
- Floss your teeth at least once daily
- Avoid using your teeth as tools, so no fingernail biting or tearing packages
- Avoid smoking and staining foods to preserve the brightness of your fillings
- Visit your dentist twice yearly for routine check-ups and cleanings
- Protect your smile with personalized nightguards if you brux your teeth
Are you interested in composite fillings?
Do you have tooth damage that needs repair with a filling? Call (586) 551-7255 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Barbat for safe and effective tooth fillings.
