Composite Fillings
Composite fillings are an important advancement in dental health and the fight against cavities. The newer composite filling materials replace old metal fillings. Metal fillings contain mercury, a known toxin, and are silver in appearance. With composite fillings, Dr. Sarah Frahm can match your natural tooth color. Composite fillings are non-toxic, biocompatible, and approved by the FDA, making them an ideal option for patients concerned about safety and effectiveness.
Tooth decay is one of the most common conditions impacting oral health, but thankfully, the right treatment is within reach. If you’re in need of a filling or a composite filling replacement in the Monterey, CA area and are interested in Dr. Frahm for your dental health needs, read on to learn what the placement of composite fillings entails.
What is a Composite Filling?
Composite resin fillings serve functional and aesthetic roles, often at the same time. For example, a cavity on the front of your tooth, along the gum line, is visible in your smile. By gently removing the area of decay Dr. Frahm stops erosion of your healthy tooth enamel. Then, she uses dental composite material that matches the shade of your tooth to replace the decayed enamel. With your new composite filling your tooth works and looks better.
Composites fillings contain a mix of liquid resin and finely ground ceramic. Together, they provide durability for small to medium-sized cavity fillings that can withstand the pressure from chewing. Composite is an excellent material to give your tooth a natural look.
Why Would Composite Fillings Be Necessary?
Minor dental problems can progress if left untreated. This often necessitates major and costly dental treatment. Composite fillings can address the following:
- Tooth decay
- Chipped teeth (Including white fillings for front teeth)
- Cracked or broken teeth
- Closing the space between two teeth
- Worn teeth
Natural Teeth Colored Restorations & Fillings
Old amalgam fillings are unattractive and contain mercury, which can be hazardous to your health. Dr. Frahm restores the health of your teeth using natural dental fillings made of biocompatible materials such as composite, ceramic, and porcelain. If you have amalgam fillings and restorations over 10 years old, now is a good time to replace them. At Dr. Frahm’s clinic, we provide the following composite treatments:
- Composite teeth filling treatment
- Amalgam filling replacement
- Composite filling replacement
With today’s state-of-the-art materials, Dr. Frahm creates beautiful and healthy restorations to keep you smiling for a lifetime.
Benefits of Composite Fillings
Many patients choose tooth-colored composite resin fillings for their more natural appearance. Additionally, composite fillings bond directly to the tooth for added strength and fracture resistance.
- Long-Lasting Composite Material Type: More durable than previous and older types of dental filling material.
- More Natural-Looking Teeth: Natural in appearance, resin composite fillings match the color of your teeth, making this an ideal option for those seeking composite fillings for front teeth.
- Done in One Appointment: A composite filling procedure can be completed in a single dental visit.
- Simpler Tooth Restoration: Composite dental fillings can fix minor flaws and larger amounts of damage
- Short Recovery After Treatment: Composite tooth fillings only have short-term temperature sensitivity following your dental visit, allowing you to enjoy the hot and cold foods & beverages you love.
The Case for Composites
For many decades, amalgam fillings were the go-to standard for the treatment of minor tooth decay and cavity repair. Thankfully, technology has evolved to offer a safer, more aesthetically pleasing alternative.
Today, tooth-colored composites help quickly restore the health and appearance of your teeth with little investment of time or money.
Composites blend into your tooth’s structure providing an excellent cosmetic option for restoring defects. Composites can often be placed in thinner layers preserving more of your natural tooth.
Best of all, there is no interruption of your everyday activities after the filling is placed. You can smile confidently knowing that your teeth are protected and looking their best.
Disadvantages of Traditional Amalgam Filling Material
While dental amalgam has been used for decades as a restorative treatment, many patients today are seeking alternatives that better support their long-term health and smile aesthetics.
Here are some important considerations regarding traditional amalgam fillings:
- Wear and fracture risk: Over time, amalgam fillings can wear down at the edges, compromising the seal along the tooth surface.
- Expansion and contraction: Amalgam material can expand and contract with temperature changes, which may place stress on the surrounding teeth and increase the risk of cracks.
- Mercury content: Dental amalgam contains approximately 50% mercury. As the material ages, it may corrode, leak, or stain the gum line and surrounding tooth structure.
If you have existing amalgam fillings and are considering replacing them with composite fillings, we welcome you to schedule an appointment at our Monterey office to explore your options.
Composite Tooth Filling Dental Treatment in Monterey, CA
Filling placement is a simple procedure. It is finished in a single dentist’s office visit:
1. Dr. Frahm begins by matching the shade of composite materials to the color of your teeth.
2. Local anesthetic numbs the area around your tooth so you won’t feel much.
3. Dr. Frahm removes decay from your affected teeth.
4. Your tooth will be cleaned and dried before the filling is placed.
5. The composite material is layered into place. A light is used to cure the composite tooth filling to your tooth enamel.
6. Next, your dentist shapes and contours your tooth. Then, she polishes it so that the sheen of your tooth matches its neighbors.
7. Last, your dentist checks your bite to make sure your composite filling is comfortable and properly aligned.
After the composite fillings are set and finished, you might notice sensitivity for a short period.
Composite Filling FAQs
Composite filling is made of liquid resin and finely ground ceramic. Amalgam fillings or silver fillings are a combination of metals, including mercury. Dental amalgam can last for years, mercury can leak if the filling is compromised. Composite fillings are less prone to breakage, are non-toxic, and match the color of your teeth. Dr. Frahm understands you may have concerns as to which dental filling is right for you. For more information, read “The Advantages of Composite Fillings Over Amalgam Fillings”.
Composite fillings can last up to 10 years with great care. Wear and tear lessens its life span, such as teeth grinding in sleep and hard foods. See “What are Composite Fillings?” to learn more.
To maintain the polished appearance and strength of your composite resin fillings, we recommend:
- Enjoy a balanced diet. Nourishing your body supports your overall dental health and helps protect your teeth from future cavities.
- Be mindful of staining foods and drinks. While composite material is color-matched to your natural teeth, beverages such as coffee, tea, and red wine may gradually stain the surface. Sipping water afterward can help rinse away residue and protect the tooth surface.
- Stay hydrated. Saliva plays an essential role in protecting your smile and reducing the risk of cavities.
- Brush twice daily and floss once daily. Gentle, consistent care prevents plaque buildup around the filling and along the gum line.
- Maintain regular dental visits. Professional exams allow your dentist to monitor your composite dental restorations and prevent decay from forming around the filling.
When cared for properly, composite teeth fillings provide both cosmetic beauty and lasting function that supports a healthy, confident smile.
If your composite fillings break off, you may need to replace them. While some compromised fillings look whole, it may be time to schedule an appointment if you experience tooth sensitivity to hot or cold foods and beverages or sharp pain when chewing.
Many dental insurance plans only cover the partial cost of composite fillings. Please contact your insurance company to confirm. Learn more about this dental treatment with “What are Composite Fillings?”
Like all restorative dentistry treatments, dental fillings can occasionally fail. This most often happens due to:
- Secondary cavities forming around the edges
- Wear over time
- Cracks or fractures in the filling material
One reason composite fillings are the most common alternative to traditional amalgam is that the material bonds directly to the tooth. This bonded filling technique helps strengthen the remaining tooth structure and reduces the risk of marginal leakage.
Unlike traditional amalgam, composite resin fillings are not reactive to temperature changes in the same way, which helps minimize expansion and contraction stress on the tooth.
If you notice sensitivity, discoloration, or changes in your bite, we invite you to schedule an appointment at our Monterey office. Early evaluation allows us to preserve your tooth and maintain the long-term health of your smile, comfortably and conservatively.
Contact Us for Your Dental Health Needs
If you would like to learn more about comprehensive dental care with Dr. Sarah Frahm, please call (831)-372-8011 today or contact our concierge care team. We serve patients throughout the communities of Monterey, Carmel, and Pacific Grove.