Composite Dental Fillings
Composite Fillings Dentistry to Fix Your Cavities in Olympia
Our dentists use composite dental fillings to treat cavities, utilizing a tooth-colored resin that enhances the aesthetics of your smile. Cavities are a common oral health issue often associated with children, but they can affect individuals of all ages. Prompt treatment is essential when cavities develop. At Walker & Krause Dental Team in Olympia, we can often restore the health of teeth affected by cavities using composite fillings.
What is a Cavity?
A cavity forms as a result of tooth decay. But how does tooth decay occur? Throughout the day, plaque and bacteria naturally build up in your mouth. While these substances are normal, they can become harmful if they linger and continue to accumulate. Both plaque and bacteria produce acids that, when left on the surfaces of your teeth, begin to erode the protective enamel. This erosion creates weak spots on the enamel, which can eventually develop into small pits known as cavities. Without treatment, cavities can grow larger and deeper, compromising the strength of the tooth and your overall oral health.
Read More on how to tell if you might have a cavity >>
Traditional Treatment with Amalgam
Traditionally, cavities have been treated with amalgam fillings. Amalgam is a mixture of metals that are suspended in mercury. When this material hardens, it is incredibly strong and can withstand some of the strongest biting and chewing forces.
While strong, amalgam fillings do have a few disadvantages. One of the biggest drawbacks is the color of amalgam fillings. These fillings are silver, so they stand out very prominently from the rest of your natural tooth structure. This can cause aesthetic issues when used to treat cavities in your front teeth. The materials used for amalgam fillings also cause concerns for some patients. Some are allergic to metals while others are wary of the mercury content. One of the biggest concerns with amalgam fillings is that they can cause your natural tooth structure to crack or fracture, especially with larger amalgams.
We often recommend the replacement of amalgam fillings with newer, more advanced dental materials. Composite dental fillings or crowns are the most common methods utilized to replace amalgams.
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Composite Dental Fillings
Composite dental fillings were developed as an alternative to amalgam fillings. With this treatment, cavities are filled using composite resin. This is a material that is made up of fine glass, plastic, and other materials. Composite resin is designed to blend perfectly with the color of your natural teeth, providing an aesthetic as well as a functional fix for cavities.
In addition to being tooth-colored, composite fillings are also free from metals and mercury. The material also bonds with your natural tooth structure, meaning that less of your tooth needs to be drilled to accommodate the filling.
Placing composite fillings typically requires a single dental visit. Depending upon the size and location of the cavity, a local anesthetic may or may not be needed. The tooth is cleaned, and the decay is removed from the cavity. Our dentists then place an acid etch into the cavity to create a rough texture. The acid is washed off and your tooth dried. We then place the composite material into the cavity and cure it before finally polishing the filling smooth.
With a composite dental filling, we can help to restore the health of your tooth, preventing serious issues from developing. If you suspect you have a cavity and may need a filling, the Walker & Krause Dental Team in Olympia is here to help.