Serving Essex, Kingsville, And Surrounding

Composite Fillings

Dental decay is a bacterial disease of the teeth and happens to be the most common dental ailment in the entire world. Our mouth is host to millions of bacteria, and while most of them are harmless, some can be disease-causing under the right conditions. Poor oral hygiene leads to plaque accumulation which harbors these disease-causing bacteria. These bacteria metabolize sugars and release toxic acidic by-products responsible for dental decay. As the infection advances, it leads to the formation of a dental cavity. A dental cavity is a hole in the tooth and must be treated at the earliest to prevent its progression and ultimate tooth loss.

Historically, the most common way of treating a dental cavity was the removal of the infected tooth part, followed by the placement of a silver amalgam filling to protect and restore the tooth’s shape, size, and function. However, amalgam dental filling is unaesthetic, toxic and prone to leakage. To counter these disadvantages, dental composite fillings were introduced.

What are Composite Fillings?

Composite fillings are made from acrylic resin and are reinforced with silica, quartz or ceramic. Dental composite resins are tooth-coloured dental fillings and blends in the mouth with remaining natural teeth giving favourable aesthetics. Composite fillings are sturdy, which enables their usage even on the back teeth. In addition, composite fillings are more conservative compared to amalgam or gold fillings.

Who Needs Composite Fillings?

Dental composite fillings are widely used to restore teeth after the removal of dental decay.
Tooth fillings can also be used to repair chipped, broken front teeth.
To cover discolored teeth with white resin, which dental filling provides.
Cavity fillings can also be used to close small gaps between the front two teeth.

Procedure for a Composite Filling

If a chipped tooth needs repair or you are diagnosed with a dental cavity, our dentist in Essex will recommend you go for composite filling. The procedure starts with cleaning out the tooth with the help of dental drills. Once the damaged or infected part is removed, our dentist will begin rebuilding the lost tooth structure with the help of dental fillings.

The intended tooth portion is first etched, and then a bonding agent is applied, which is exposed to UV light for curing and hardening. Next, our dentist will select the shade of dental filling which matches your natural tooth shade. They will gradually build the tooth layer by layer. Each layer is exposed to UV light for some seconds for proper setting and hardening. Once the tooth structure is sufficiently built, they will check for the bite and carve the filling to replicate natural anatomy for a better function and aesthetics. The duration of your composite filling appointment at Essex Family Dental will depend on the extent of damage in need of repair and the number of teeth that are intended for dental filling treatment.

If you have any questions or would like to schedule a regular dental check-up, please reach out to us at Essex Family Dental. Our team of excellent dental professionals are here to assist you in your journey to better oral and overall health.

Or call us today to schedule your appointment: (519) 961-9211

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Frequently Asked Questions

How long do composite fillings last?

Composite fillings can last up to 10 years or even more if proper care is taken. It is essential to maintain good oral hygiene by brushing twice a day, flossing and rinsing. In addition, scheduling regular dental check-ups is also paramount for good oral and overall health.

Composite fillings are gaining immense popularity due to their aesthetic outcomes and strength. In addition, they are safe and protect the tooth from further damage. The chance of the filling leaking or breaking is also low, and it does not stain the tooth-like amalgam fillings do.