Restore Your Smile with Dr. Grivas
When tooth decay strikes, you need a restoration that’s both durable and natural-looking. At the office of Sacramento restorative dentist, Dr. Scott Grivas, we provide composite fillings that seamlessly blend with your natural teeth while providing lasting protection. Our Sacramento Valley dental practice serves patients from throughout the region, including La Riviera, West Sacramento, Florin, and Rosemont, with state-of-the-art restorative care.
Ready to address your cavity? Contact our Central Valley dental practice today at (916) 929-9222 to schedule your consultation.
What Are Composite Fillings?
Composite fillings, also called tooth-colored dental fillings, represent the latest advancement in dental restoration technology. These modern dental fillings combine sophisticated resin and glass particles to create a strong, tooth-colored material that bonds directly to your tooth structure. Unlike traditional metal fillings, composite resin fillings can be precisely color-matched to your natural teeth, offering a customizable color that blends seamlessly with your smile. They also boast impressive longevity compared to alternatives, though they require skilled application to ensure optimal results.
Dr. Grivas commonly recommends composite fillings for:
Cavities and Decayed Teeth
Composite fillings are an excellent choice for treating new cavities or replacing old fillings, especially in decayed teeth. They bond directly to the tooth structure, providing a strong and durable restoration that helps repair and strengthen these compromised structures, preventing further decay.
Damaged Teeth
For decayed or damaged teeth, composite fillings offer a versatile solution. The material can be molded and shaped to restore the tooth’s original form and function.
Closing Gaps
Small gaps between teeth, known as diastemas, can be effectively closed using composite fillings. This non-invasive technique can improve the appearance of your smile without the need for more extensive procedures.
Minor Imperfections
Composite fillings are ideal for correcting minor cosmetic imperfections such as discoloration, uneven edges, or small misalignments. The material can be color-matched to blend seamlessly with your natural teeth.
Reinforcing Weakened Structure
For teeth that have been weakened by decay or wear, composite fillings can provide additional support. The material bonds to the tooth, helping to reinforce its structure and preserve the surrounding tooth structure during the procedure, preventing further damage.
Composite fillings offer a versatile, durable, and aesthetically pleasing solution for a wide range of dental issues. Their ability to bond with the tooth structure, match natural tooth color, and be easily repaired or modified makes them a popular choice for both restorative and cosmetic dental procedures.
The Benefits of Composite Dental Fillings for a Natural Appearance
When you choose composite fillings at our Sacramento practice, you’ll enjoy numerous advantages:
- Exceptional Aesthetics: Our composite fillings are carefully color-matched to your natural teeth, ensuring a natural appearance that blends seamlessly with your existing teeth, making them virtually undetectable.
- Superior Durability: Modern composite materials provide excellent strength for long-lasting results.
- Versatile Applications: Composite fillings can address various dental concerns beyond just cavities.
- Conservative Treatment: Composite resin dental filling materials require less tooth reduction than traditional fillings.
- Enhanced Protection: The strong bonding properties of composite fillings help prevent future decay and crack formation.
- Mercury-Free Solution: Our composites are completely metal-free and biocompatible.
Who Qualifies for a Composite Filling?
While composite fillings are an excellent choice for many patients, Dr. Grivas will carefully evaluate your specific situation. Composite filling procedures are particularly beneficial for restoring teeth affected by trauma, sensitivity, or decay. These procedures not only restore the natural appearance and function of teeth but also result in quicker dental appointments due to the efficiency of the composite materials used. Factors we consider include:
- Extent of Decay: Severe decay may require more comprehensive treatments
- Bite Forces: Patients with heavy grinding habits may need alternative solutions
- Cavity Location: Very large cavities might benefit from different restoration options
- Overall Oral Health: Your general dental health affects treatment success
The Composite Dental Fillings Procedure
Initial Consultation
The composite filling procedure begins with a thorough examination by Dr. Grivas. Using advanced imaging technology, we’ll assess your cavity and discuss the best treatment approach. We’ll explain the procedure in detail and address any concerns you may have about the process. Compared to cast gold fillings, which are known for their long-lasting durability and aesthetic appeal but come with higher costs and require additional office visits, composite fillings offer a more affordable and quicker solution.
Design/Preparation
Dr. Grivas takes pride in creating custom-matched composite fillings that complement your natural smile. We’ll select the perfect shade and prepare your tooth by carefully removing decay while preserving as much healthy tooth structure as possible.
Placement
Using precise layering techniques, Dr. Grivas will apply the composite filling material, carefully sculpting each layer to match your tooth’s natural anatomy. A special curing light hardens each layer instantly, and the final restoration is shaped and polished to ensure optimal comfort and appearance.
Caring for Composite Dental Fillings
To maximize the lifespan of your composite dental fillings, follow these detailed recommendations:
- Brushing and Flossing: Maintain excellent oral hygiene by brushing your teeth at least twice daily with fluoride toothpaste and flossing at least once a day. This routine helps prevent decay around the filling and protects your overall dental health.
- Gentle Brushing Technique: Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and gentle circular motions when brushing. Avoid aggressive scrubbing, which can wear down the composite material over time.
- Mouthwash Use: Rinse daily with an alcohol-free, fluoride-containing mouthwash to help strengthen the surrounding tooth enamel and reduce bacteria.
- Avoid Hard Foods: For the first 24 hours after getting your filling, avoid chewing on hard foods, especially on the side of the mouth with the new filling. This allows the material to fully set and bond with your tooth.
- Limit Staining Substances: Reduce consumption of staining substances like coffee, tea, red wine, and tobacco products. While composite fillings are resistant to staining, they can still discolor over time with excessive exposure.
- Minimize Acidic Foods and Drinks: Limit intake of acidic foods and beverages, as these can erode both natural tooth enamel and composite fillings.
- Nightguard for Teeth Grinding: If you grind your teeth at night, consider using a custom nightguard to protect your fillings and natural teeth from excessive wear.
- Avoid Using Teeth as Tools: Never use your teeth to open packages or bite non-food items, as this can damage both your natural teeth and fillings.
- Regular Dental Checkups: Schedule regular dental checkups every six months for professional cleaning and monitoring of your fillings. Your dentist can detect and address any issues early on, ensuring the longevity of your dental work and maintaining overall dental health.
- Prompt Attention to Issues: If you experience persistent sensitivity, pain, or notice any changes in your filling, contact your dentist promptly. Early intervention can prevent more serious complications.
Frequently Asked Questions
With proper care, composite fillings typically last seven to 10 years or longer. Dr. Grivas uses high-quality materials and precise techniques to ensure maximum durability. Regular dental check-ups help monitor your filling’s condition and address any issues before they become problematic.
Absolutely. Dr. Grivas exclusively uses BPA-free, biocompatible composite materials that have been thoroughly tested for safety. Unlike traditional silver amalgam fillings, which are less visually appealing and can expand or contract with temperature changes leading to cracks and decay, our composites contain no mercury or other metals that could cause adverse reactions.
Tooth-colored fillings are widely used in dental restoration due to their aesthetic benefits and safety considerations. Most dental insurance plans provide coverage for composite fillings, especially for front teeth. Our experienced office team will help verify your benefits and explain any out-of-pocket costs. We also offer flexible financing options to make treatment affordable for all our patients.
Call Us & Schedule Your Composite Filling Appointment Today!
Don’t let tooth decay compromise your smile. Dr. Grivas provides expert composite filling services to patients throughout Sacramento, La Riviera, West Sacramento, Florin, and Rosemont, CA. Our commitment to quality care and patient comfort ensures you’ll receive the best possible treatment outcome.
Contact our Sacramento office today by dialing (916) 929-9222 to schedule your appointment. We look forward to helping you achieve a healthy, beautiful smile with our advanced composite filling solutions.