What You Should Know About Composite Fillings?

If you get a cavity in one of your teeth, your dentist is probably going to recommend getting a filling as soon as possible to ward off infection and shore up your tooth.

There are several different kinds of materials used for dental restorations, but the most common types of fillings are amalgam and composite (or composite resin).

Amalgam was the most widely used material for many years, but composite fillings have been growing in popularity for their combination of looks and durability. In this article, we’ll explain what composite fillings are, how long they last, and how safe they are.

What are composite fillings?

Composite fillings have a more natural appearance than other options. The composite material can be customized to match the shade of your tooth, so they’re almost unnoticeable to anyone who glances at your mouth.

But what is that tooth-colored material? It’s a mixture of plastic (acrylic) resin that’s reinforced with a powdered glass filler. It’s useful for a variety of dental restorations, including

• fillings
• veneers
• inlays
• crowns

Dentists  in First Elite Medical Center also sometimes use this composite resin material to repair or restore parts of broken or chipped teeth.

Composite fillings procedure

Unless there are special circumstances, the process of getting a composite filling is fairly straightforward and can be finished in one visit.

1. Your dentist may start by selecting the shade of composite to use in your filling at the beginning of your visit. 
2. Some research says it’s better to make this match early on, before your teeth and mouth dry out, which may affect the brightness of your teeth.
3. You’ll get a shot of a numbing agent for local anesthesia to numb the tooth and surrounding area.
4. The dentist will drill into your tooth enamel and remove the decayed part of your tooth.
5. They’ll clean and dry the area and prepare the tooth. With more extensive damage, this might entail some tooth shaving.
6. The dentist will etch and bond the tooth.
7. They’ll begin layering the composite material into the hole in your tooth.
8. The dentist will use a light to cure the composite filling and get it to set.
9. Since the composite is applied in layers, the light will be used to cure each layer before going on to the next.
10. The dentist in First Elite Medical Center will shape and contour the tooth, then polish it.
11. Your dentist will check your bite to make sure you’re comfortable with the restoration.

Afterward, you might have a little short-lived sensitivity to heat and cold, but it should go away pretty quickly.