Fillings That Nobody Will Notice
With composite resin fillings, you don’t have to worry about people knowing you had cavities. While old amalgam fillings are obvious and can make your smile look mismatched, the composite resin is matched to the color of your teeth.
Benefits of Composite Resin Fillings
In addition to blending in with your smile seamlessly, composite resin fillings are durable and won’t fracture. That means you can eat all of your favorite foods without worrying about endangering your tooth.
Your tooth-colored fillings will last for about 10 to 15 years if you take care of your teeth well. After that, they may need to be replaced with new resin fillings.
The Cavity Treatment Process
The first step to getting a cavity treated at your appointment is for Dr. Cederbaum to administer a local anesthetic. The anesthetic will numb the area so you won’t feel pain during the procedure.
If you’re anxious or feel uncomfortable, she’s also fully qualified to provide sedation dentistry. Sedation can help you feel more relaxed and further reduce the sensations you feel during a procedure.
Once the anesthetic and sedation kick in, Dr. Cederbaum can begin to clean the cavity and affected areas of the tooth. Once all the decay has been removed, she can fill in the empty space with the natural-looking resin and your teeth will look as good as new.
Treatment for Larger Fillings
If you leave your cavity without treatment for a while, your entire tooth may be threatened. Protecting the tooth at this point can mean using an onlay, inlay, amalgam filling, or a crown.
Onlays and inlays are made of ceramic, a strong and attractive-looking material that’s often used to make veneers and dental crowns. These treatments are used when the decay is extensive and the tooth requires more support.
Amalgam fillings are made from a combination of metals and other materials, including mercury. Many patients are apprehensive about using amalgam fillings and they aren’t very attractive, so Dr. Cederbaum may elect to use a dental crown instead.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How long do composite resin fillings last?
Composite resin fillings often last between 10 to 15 years, depending on how well you take care of your oral hygiene.
- Are composite resin fillings safe?
Yes, composite resin fillings are safe. They’re often considered safer than amalgam because resin doesn’t contain any mercury and it doesn’t fracture.
- Which filling is best for my teeth?
Dr. Cederbaum recommends composite resin fillings not only for aesthetics but for their strength and your overall well-being.
Tooth-Colored Fillings Look Better
Having a cavity doesn’t need to mean permanent disfigurement of your tooth. Dr. Cederbaum can make your tooth look as if no decay ever touched it in the first place.
To learn more about our composite resin fillings, feel free to call us at (206) 524-1314. You can also fill out the contact form available on this page and we’ll get back to you quickly.