Dental Fillings

Repair Broken Or Decayed Teeth With Composite Fillings In Anchorage, Alaska

 A composite filling is a dental treatment designed to repair a tooth that has been broken or is decaying. This filling is different from an amalgam filling in that it looks completely natural. Composite fillings are also strong and durable, so they can be sculpted to perfectly match the color and texture of the rest of your teeth. It also defends your tooth against future decay.

If tooth decay is found during your dental checkup, one of the ways we may suggest treatment is with a composite filling. Tooth decay is detected in a range of ways, including identifying discolored areas on your teeth, using a cavity-detecting dye that sticks to decayed areas of your teeth, taking X-rays to see decay that we cannot detect on the surface of your teeth, and using laser fluorescence cavity detection wands which measure changes caused by tooth decay.

When you visit our office to receive a composite filling, you may receive a local anesthetic. By utilizing a local anesthetic, we can help prevent you from feeling any pain and discomfort during the procedure. Once your mouth is numbed, we will remove any decay using a drill or laser. After we have successfully removed all decay, your tooth is prepared for the filling by applying an acid gel before placing the filling. If we do not prepare the space in this way, there is a greater chance that the filling will not bond to your tooth properly and fall out.

After we have positioned the filling, a blue UV light is used to harden the filling. This process initializes a chemical reaction in the composite resin to harden into a strong and permanent repair for your tooth. Finally, we will use a bur to polish the new filling in your tooth, ensuring that it blends in seamlessly with the rest of your teeth. After receiving your composite filling, the filling area in your tooth may feel more sensitive to changes in temperature and pressure. However, this sensitivity will usually subside within a couple of weeks.

Once your tooth has received a filling, we will examine it regularly during your future dental checkups. Your filling should last for around ten years, depending on the size of your filling. If there is evidence your filling has cracked, started to leak, or shows new signs of decay, we will recommend a new X-ray.

Older fillings showing signs of issues or damage must be replaced sooner rather than later, particularly if they have cracked or are leaking. Stray particles of food and harmful bacteria can penetrate a cracked or leaking filling and cause painful tooth decay. Undetected decay that has developed under an old filling can become extensive. If you have concerns about your old fillings, schedule a checkup as quickly as possible. A checkup is particularly important if your tooth is feeling sensitive or if you have noticed that your filling has cracked.

Your composite fillings may not become worn down or broken over time, but they may become stained and otherwise discolored. If your discolored fillings are making you feel self-conscious, you may want to discuss resurfacing or replacing them, especially if they are in a prominent place within your mouth.

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