Composite Fillings

If your Cincinnati-area dentist discovers tooth decay occurs, the damaged portion of the tooth is removed then sealed with a material to prevent any more damage or deposition of food fragments. Application of such materials will vary according to the need of the specific restoration site. Some teeth are filled with a composite material that is colored to match the natural color of teeth, and others will require amalgam filling material.

Composite fillings were not always as long-lasting as the amalgam fillings, but advances in technology have improved these aspects of this material. Today, they can be used to fill all teeth including the molars.

Another useful feature of composite fillings is that they require much less tooth reshaping than amalgam fillings. Most Cincinnati dental practitioners agree that removal of natural tooth material is not ideal and so composite fillings are used predominantly in dental procedures.

A critical issue in the use of composite fillings is the dentist’s experience. The more conventional amalgam techniques did not pose so many challenges to the dentist as a composite filling procedure does, today, and dentists need to have the correct skills to properly use this filling. It is important to discuss this with your dentist to ensure that they can provide the best care.

A brief examination by a qualified, experienced Cincinnati dentist, usually including an X-ray, will reveal the presence of decay that has irritated nerves and eaten away tooth tissue.

An anti-bacterial agent and/or sodium rinse will be applied to the teeth after the decayed tooth material is cleaned out to protect the tooth against any further potential decay.

After application of adhesives or bonding agents the dentist layers in the composite materials, checking the patients bite comfort at frequent intervals. If biting down is uncomfortable, the dentist carefully reshapes the filling and the procedure is finished. The dentist checks to see if the shape and cover of the filling material are proper then hardens the surface using a special light.