When your tooth aches due to an untreated cavity, then you need a dental filling to prevent infection and tooth loss. Instead of relying solely on amalgam restorations, we can offer a lifelike option with composite resin. In today’s blog, your Houston, TX, dentist talks about composite resin and lifelike filling placement.
When a Tooth Needs a Restoration
When you have a tooth that begins to ache and feel sensitive when you eat or drink, this could be a sign of a cavity. Once your tooth hurts, this means the decay is in a more advanced state, and lack of treatment could allow an infection to develop. You should see our team right away for an examination to see if you need a filling. If you attend six-month checkup and cleaning visits, then our team has a chance to catch decay in the earliest stages, often before you develop discomfort!
Creating Fillings from Composite Resin
While metal is effective, it doesn’t blend with your tooth. We can offer a more lifelike option. Composite resin is metal-free and biocompatible, which means it bonds with the tooth structure and can stay in place for years to continue providing quality repair and protection for your smile. The material blends glass-like and acrylic-like particles, and can be shaded to match the color of surrounding structure. Placement is simple. We will numb the tooth being treated so we can carefully remove all decay and clean the tooth. We may etch the surfaces as well. We then apply the shaded material in several layers, and sculpt the tooth as the material cures beneath a light. Finally, we polish it for a brighter appearance. In one visit, we halt decay and prevent infection!
Dental Bonding
We can also use the same material in cosmetic treatments. Dental bonding involves using composite resin to address esthetic concerns with the teeth, masking teeth stains, filling gaps between teeth, correcting minor damage, and reshaping malformed teeth. The process only takes one visit, and can offer a more attractive smile, and also help fight issues like tooth decay, which could occur following untreated dental damage. If you have a cavity or a tooth that hurts, or if your smile has multiple smile imperfections, then please reach out to our team to discuss possible treatment options. With composite resin, we may be able to make a huge difference in your appearance and oral health in only one visit!
Do You Have an Aching Tooth?
If you have an aching tooth or persistent sensitivity, talk to your team at Healthy Smiles Family Dentistry in Houston, TX at (281)974-4494 about our custom dental restorations. We can help return your smile to optimal health, function, and beauty with our unique and lifelike treatment options.
