• Request an Appointment
• New patient info
• New patient special ▶

Choose Composite Fillings for a Natural-Looking Tooth Repair

When your smile is affected by a decayed or damaged tooth, the last thing you want is to draw more attention to the problem. Composite fillings are a durable, natural-looking tooth repair. At Chester Hill Dentistry, Dr. Chi Fu offers composite fillings as a general dental procedure to repair your problem tooth.

Dental Problems Fixed by Composite Fillings

Composite fillings have more uses than just serving as a repair for a decayed tooth. In fact, composite fillings sometimes eliminate the need for invasive restorative dentistry or cosmetic dentistry enhancements. Composite fillings make it possible to improve the health or appearance of a problem tooth without breaking your budget or undergoing multiple procedures.

If you have any of the following oral health complaints, a composite filling could be a viable repair. Consulting with your Rye Brook, NY, dentist is the only way to know for certain:

• Decay
• Chips
• Cracks
• Discoloration
• Gaps

Not only do composite fillings fix an existing problem, they can be used as a preventive measure too, keeping decay or deterioration at bay. It’s always a good idea to protect a tooth rather than try to fix it later when a problem has gotten much bigger and more painful.

Some patients simply want to have their silver fillings replaced because they are old, have damaged your teeth, or have caused discoloration. Composite fillings get the job done, and make the tooth stronger in the process.

What to Expect When Getting a Composite Filling

Fillings are a common dental repair, and your Westchester dentist is experienced in placing fillings and restoring the comfort and functionality of smiles. If you experience any sort of dental anxiety, it helps to know what to expect before you undergo any dental treatment.

The composite filling treatment begins with numbing the area around the affected tooth. The removal of the decayed portion of your tooth is followed by the application of a substance that helps open the pores of the teeth for a stronger bond. After the completion of this step, the filling is applied to the tooth in thin layers to slowly form the final filling. The procedure is complete once the composite has been hardened and cured with a special light, the filling is smoothed and polished, and the bite is checked for comfort and fit.

A benefit of composite fillings, as opposed to amalgam fillings, is that the procedure typically involves removing less tooth structure. In fact, composite fillings are designed to preserve as much healthy tooth structure as possible. After all, the point of a filling is to support and complete your smile, not compromise it. Composite fillings are especially well-suited for front teeth or highly visible teeth because they look natural.

What You May Not Know About Tooth Decay

Oral health is easily taken for granted. Teeth, however, are not self-cleaning. Even though your mouth is full of saliva and you drink water, teeth must be brushed, flossed, and cleaned and examined by professionals every six months. You put yourself at a higher risk of developing cavities with poor oral health care, but there are other factors – some that are out of your control – that could make you more likely to develop tooth decay:

• You’re depressed or anxious. Your emotional and mental well-being affect your entire life, whether you like it or not. Taking medication to manage your mental health can leave you with a dry mouth, which can create cavities. People who are depressed, anxious, or stressed may find themselves neglecting their oral health because they are overwhelmed with life or just don’t care.
• You snack too much. It may seem like noshing on small foods throughout the day is better for your weight loss than three full meals. However, what might work for your diet is detrimental to your oral health. Frequent snacking leaves your teeth swimming in sugars and bacteria, whether you’re sipping on soda or coffee, eating hard candy or crunching nuts.
• You work out often. People who hit the gym regularly like to recharge. Whether you suck down an energy drink or powerade, beverages like these are filled with sugars and acids that attack your teeth. So, you might be getting fit and getting your body healthy, but your teeth are suffering in the process.
• Your family has a lot of cavities. Some people are predisposed to developing cavities simply because of their DNA. This is the luck of the draw, but knowing this is the case gives you an opportunity to take exceptional care of your teeth. Being more susceptible to cavities means you’re also more likely to develop gum disease or other oral health problems.

At Chester Hill Dentistry, Dr. Fu and his team use composite fillings to maintain the color, composition, and durability of your natural teeth. While it may seem like one problem tooth is not a big deal and you’ll get to it eventually, don’t delay. Fillings stabilize surrounding tooth structure. One decayed tooth can make a cavity turn into far worse, compromise neighboring teeth, and lead to even bigger problems over time if not addressed quickly.

If you suspect tooth decay, contact Dr. Fu to schedule an appointment, get a diagnosis for your oral health problem, and talk about composite fillings and next steps.