Composite Fillings

Composite Dental Fillings in New York City

Fillings have been an essential treatment for dental caries for thousands of years. Rooting out the decay and repairing the tooth keeps our natural teeth in good shape for longer. If the decay goes uncorrected, more invasive treatment is inevitable, including root canals and apicoectomies.

Composite is an affordable, natural-looking filling material that bonds closely to the tooth. It has many advantages over more traditional materials, including that it’s not noticeable when you smile. Our cosmetic dentists can replace your old fillings or treat new cavities with composite resin.

The Advantages of Composite Over Traditional Fillings

Composite is becoming more and more popular among dental offices. Some offices only offer composite fillings. Why, though? We’ve been using metal to fill cavities for generations, so why are dentists now making the switch?

First and foremost, composite resin is often preferred by patients over silver amalgam and gold fillings. They are less noticeable, so they can smile more freely and talk without fear that someone will see their previous fillings.

Other than their cosmetic appeal, they have several practical advantages:

They are more affordable than the more expensive metal fillings, like gold.
They don’t shrink or expand with hot and cold, so they stay close-fitting to the tooth and protect from future decay.
As they aren’t conductive, they don’t make the tooth sensitive to hot and cold beverages.
Amalgam and other metal alloy fillings aren’t suitable for everyone. Pregnant and nursing mothers as well as people with metal allergies are recommended composite over metal.
They’ll never chip and break your existing natural tooth like metal has been known to do.

While composite fillings don’t last as long as metal fillings, they are also less prone to complications between replacement fillings.

A Composite Filling is a Cosmetic Restoration

As with all tooth restorations, the longevity of a composite filling will depend on your care and maintenance. Composite fillings that are well taken care of can last up to 10 years. Here are some tips on keeping your fillings intact:

Brush twice a day and floss daily
Don’t chew hard foods or objects
Don’t smoke or vape
Don’t use your teeth as tools, such as to open packages
Avoid super sugary and sticky foods
Rinse your mouth after eating or drinking sugary or acidic foods
Drink water often

Overall, take good care of your teeth and mouth. Your health is a pretty good indicator of the health of your teeth, so be good to you.

The Composite Filling Process in NYC

Just like with every other kind of filling, our dentist will first prepare the tooth by rooting out decay with a drill. Then, they will etch the filling area using a mild acid. This roughens the surface of the tooth where the filling will be in order to create a strong fit. Next, they will prime the tooth, distribute the bonding agent, and cure it with LED light.

The composite itself is applied and cured in layers. We will adjust the fit as necessary by polishing and scraping the composite until it feels as good or better than your natural tooth.

Check Out Our Other Cosmetic Dentistry Services

Visit Our Cosmetic Dentist in Lower Manhattan Today

Our staff has trained in multiple disciplines, so they can provide the most comprehensive care. We know how to create beautiful restorations, but we are also trained in every area of general dentistry. Your health and comfort are our priority, so the care we provide aims to project that.

Book online or call +12122265777 to schedule your appointment. We also offer pediatric dental fillings and child-focused dental care.