Repair Tooth Decay and Restore Your Teeth with Composite (White) Fillings

Cavities and minor tooth decay may compromise your teeth when left untreated. In the past, metal or silver amalgam restorations repaired minor tooth damage but left many patients with discolored teeth from the “show-thru” effect of the metal. Patients also do not like the appearance of silver fillings in their white teeth. Today, modern dentists like Dr. Rich Flores at Rich Flores, DDS, LLC in Willoughby, Ohio, use tooth-colored white fillings as safe, natural-looking alternatives to restore teeth. 

Restoring your teeth with composite fillings

Composite material is a mixture of liquid resin and finely ground glass particles. Composite is the same material used to perform cosmetic dental bonding. So, as you’d expect, composite fillings can be color-matched with your natural teeth for a beautiful finish.

It all begins with a consultation with our dental team. The objective is to establish your tooth damage to determine whether a cavity filling is the best treatment. If yes, we will numb your tooth and clean out the decayed portion of the tooth before disinfecting it thoroughly to eliminate harmful bacteria.

We will then apply the composite resin in layers and harden it using a curing light. Next, we adjust the newly placed filling to fit with your normal bite. Finally, we polish your tooth for a shiny, beautiful appearance. Although composite fillings don’t last forever, we expect them to last for an average of 10-15 years. However, should you notice signs of wear and tear, don’t forget to talk to us about replacement.

Benefits of white fillings

Composite resin fillings are versatile to repair damage anywhere in your mouth. In your front teeth, we prefer composite fillings for their ability to preserve the esthetics of your smile because of their tooth-like appearance. Composite fillings are virtually indistinguishable from your natural teeth.

What about back teeth? Although composite resin is moldable, it doesn’t mean it isn’t durable. Composite fillings can withstand the daily stress of grinding and chewing in the back teeth for many years. In a nutshell, composite fillings are an invisible restoration that promises a smooth, strong, conservative outcome.

The other benefits of composite fillings include the following:

• Conservative — composite resin can be placed in thinner layers, preserving more of your natural tooth
• Biocompatibility — our metal-free restorations are free of trigger allergic reactions nor do they emit toxic substances like their metal counterparts.
• Durability — composite fillings support your smile and oral health for many years and now have a proven track record of durability.

Call (440) 856-8774 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Flores to experience the benefits of composite dental fillings.