What is a Composite Filling?
A composite filling is a modern alternative to a silver (amalgam) filling. Traditionally, these silver fillings were used more often by dentists, but many patients today prefer composite, or tooth-colored, fillings because they blend with the existing tooth’s color and don’t contain any potentially harmful materials like mercury. Dr. Gabriel and our team are proud to offer tooth-colored fillings as a safer and more natural-looking alternative to silver fillings.
What Can Fillings and Bonding Fix?
The composite resin used in fillings and bondings can be used to repair a variety of issues, including:
- Small cracks or chips on your tooth
- Misshapen teeth
- Small stains or spots on teeth
- Slight spacing issues
- Minimal lengthening of teeth
- Repairs cavities or holes in teeth
Why Choose Tooth-Colored Fillings?
Tooth-colored fillings are superior to amalgam fillings in multiple ways. Some of the benefits of these fillings are:
- Natural-looking restoration
- Personalized colorization to match teeth
- Secure bond directly onto teeth
- Durable repair, built to last
- Restores comfort and function
- Preserves natural tooth structure
The Cavity Treatment Process
To treat a cavity, Dr. Gabriel will first administer the local anesthetic. This ensures the area being treated is numb, so you won’t feel a thing during the treatment. You can also opt to receive dental sedation to feel more relaxed and help the procedure go by quicker.
Once the area is numb, Dr. Gabriel can begin removing the infected areas of the tooth to prevent the further spread of bacteria. Then, all he has to do is fill in the areas of your tooth with composite resin and use a special light to harden it. He’ll also reshape the resin to make sure it looks and feels natural.
