Composite dental fillings - Treatment for dental cavities
White fillings, also known as composite dental fillings or restorations are a common dental treatment for dental cavities.
Advantages of composite restorations
- Composite fillings are tooth-colored and blend in with the surrounding tooth structure providing a natural appearance.
- Because they bond directly to the tooth, composite resin fillings provide more support and strengthen it from future damage.
- Much less drilling is required to prepare the tooth for the restoration compared to grey fillings (amalgam). Composite fillings do not contain mercury.
Composite can also be used to handle other cosmetic alterations, such as changing the colour or shape of your teeth. To learn more check Dental Bonding.
White dental fillings Montreal West Island
At Pointe-Claire Dental, Dr. Mauricio Galvis can repair composite fillings if they start to degrade or are accidentally damaged by excessive chewing or teeth grinding.
What is a cavity?
Cavities, also known as tooth decay or dental caries, are little holes that form on the teeth when the bacteria in the dental plaque (sticky substance on the tooth surface resulting from the combination of bacteria and leftover food and saliva in your mouth) converts sugar from the food we eat into acid that softens the tooth structure.
Teeth with cavities should be treated to avoid further damage, toothache and possible loss of teeth. Once found, the dentist may treat your cavity with a filling or if extensive, with a crown.
Cavities can go unnoticed for a long time unless you have a dental exam and x-rays.
How does a cavity develop?
A cavity starts on the outer surface leading to a loss of calcium and phosphate from the enamel and may be hidden between the teeth or in their fissures. The damage then progresses into the next layer (dentine) and forms a cavity that progressively destroys the tooth. It can reach the roots of the teeth when these are exposed due to gum recession and there is increased incidence of periodontal disease. This is most common in older adults.
Anybody can get a cavity, but you put yourself at greater risk if you don't brush and floss regularly, or frequently consume sweets or sugary drinks. That is why parents should make sure that their children eat a balanced diet with a limited consumption of sugar.
What are the symptoms of tooth decay?
When cavities are just forming, they are often painless so you may be unaware of their existence for a while unless you have a dental checkup and x-rays.
When they become deeper, you could experience teeth sensitivity to hot and cold. If a deep cavity reaches the nerve it can cause a painful toothache that may require a root canal treatment or extraction of your tooth.
How is a cavity treated?
At Pointe-Claire Dental we use composite resin for the treatment of dental cavities. The main treatment option for a tooth cavity is to remove the decayed portion and put in a filling.
A composite filling is applied in layers that are each hardened using a specific type of light. Usually the filling is completely cured and hardened in less than a minute. The next step is to shape the composite to ensure it fits your tooth. Last step is the polishing, which helps prevent early wear and staining. In some cases, there may be some mild tooth sensitivity immediately following the insertion of the filling.
