Tooth-Colored Fillings in Chesterfield MO
Keeping your teeth healthy and strong is our top priority, but sometimes even the best cared-for teeth can develop a cavity. Fortunately, with modern dental technology, a filling can be an invisible restoration that blends in with your natural teeth. Tooth-colored fillings, also called composite fillings, can fix a cavity without darkening your beautiful smile. They can also be used for cosmetic improvements such as changing a tooth's color or shape.
Why Do I Need a Filling?
Fillings are primarily used to treat dental caries, or cavities. Cavities form when bacteria in your mouth adhere to the surface of your teeth. The bacteria form a film known as plaque, and if plaque is not removed, it can develop into tartar, which adheres to your teeth like cement. Bacteria thrive in dental plaque and as they feed on the residue on your teeth, they create an acidic environment, which causes the enamel of your tooth to decay, forming a cavity.
Unlike most of our body's outer coverings, such as skin and hair, tooth material does not replenish itself or grow back. Once a cavity has formed in your tooth, the tooth must be restored with a material such as silver amalgam, porcelain, or resin to protect the remaining tooth structure and restore its strength.
In our Chesterfield dental office, we offer tooth-colored composite resin fillings. In addition to looking natural, we feel they are better for your teeth by allowing us to save tooth structure and provide a strong seal to keep bacteria out. It is well known that silver fillings can cause cracks in teeth that can ultimately result in the loss of the tooth.
Catching and treating cavities early is always better for your teeth. A small filling will keep your tooth strong and healthy and keep your out-of-pocket costs lower. Better to fill a cavity now than wait until it requires more expensive treatment or is too decayed to be saved!
The Filling Process
Dr. Rahm will numb the area around the tooth so you won't feel any pain during your treatment. The area of decay will be removed and cleaned, and a mild acid will be applied to the surface to lightly etch it and provide a stronger bond with the composite resin. Dr. Rahm will match the composite to your natural teeth and then fill the tooth. Finally, the resin is light-cured, and any extra material is removed.
You may be tender and sore around the affected tooth for a day or two after your filling. Over-the-counter pain medication such as ibuprofen should be sufficient to treat any soreness. If you have severe pain or pain that does not resolve within 48 hours, please contact our office for a follow-up appointment.
Natural Looking Tooth-Colored Fillings For a Healthy Smile in Chesterfield
If you have a cavity in need of a filling, contact our Chesterfield, MO dental office to schedule an appointment today.
Frequently Asked Questions
Before we start placing a dental filling, we will make sure that you are comfortable. Dr. Rahm will administer anesthetic to numb your tooth (in the case of small cavities, this may not be needed). Once your tooth is numb, Dr. Rahm will remove the damaged portion of the tooth.
Cavity Treatment
The next step is to clean and prepare the area for the filling. When your tooth is ready, the composite filling will be added in layers, with curing in between each layer. Regular suction will help ensure that the area stays dry while we place the filling.
Once the cavity is completely filled, Dr. Rahm will shape and polish it, removing any rough spots and ensuring a virtually seamless blend with your enamel. He will also test your bite to make sure that everything is correct.
Following a filling, you may experience some sensitivity to temperature changes, but this will quickly subside.
Why are dental fillings necessary?
Regular examinations are necessary to catch cavities when they are small and easily treated. In most cases, cavities are painless – until they become large and deep. We would much rather catch your cavities early and prevent you from experiencing any discomfort!
Schedule an Appointment in Chesterfield
If it’s time for a routine dental examination (we usually recommend that you come in every six months), give our Chesterfield dental office a call. We also offer tooth-colored fillings in Chesterfield, MO, to enhance your smile.
The most obvious advantage of tooth-colored fillings is that they are the same shade as your teeth! This means that once they are placed, they will blend in with the surrounding enamel. Nobody will know that you have a filling; they will only see a great-looking smile. Because the composite material used in fillings looks so natural, it is often used to make small cosmetic repairs, such as filling in chips or covering areas of discoloration.
Improved Bonding With Tooth-Colored Fillings
Tooth-colored fillings have other advantages, too. Unlike amalgam (metal) fillings, which require an “anchor” to be created in your tooth, tooth-colored fillings bond directly to the tooth structure. This means that we don’t have to remove as much healthy tooth structure to place the filling. The bond between the composite resin filling and the tooth also restores most of the original strength of the tooth.
Fewer Loose Fillings
Metal fillings, like any other metal, respond to temperature fluctuations by expanding and contracting. Over time, this can cause the filling to become loose. In some cases, it can even cause damage to the tooth. If the filling becomes loose, bacteria can get in and cause damage and decay underneath the filling. Composite fillings help you avoid this problem.
Contact Our 63005 Dental Clinic
We want you to feel confident and proud of your smile. Call our office to schedule your next cleaning and examination, and inquire about our tooth-colored fillings in Chesterfield, MO, to enhance your dental health.
Meet Our Doctor:
Robert Rahm DDS
CONGRATULATIONS TO DR. RAHM for being named one of the Top Dentists in the St. Louis area by St. Louis Magazine and Top Dentists USA 2018, 2019, and 2020!
Dr. Rahm really enjoys getting to know his patients personally - it's the best part of his day! Many of our patients are friends, neighbors, family and other members of our schools and community. His goal is to personally care for each patient as he would his own friend or family member. He believes in patients having a ...
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Unlike a few decades ago, a filling no longer means a permanent mark on your smile. Additionally, dentistry is more comfortable than ever thanks to improved anesthetics and delivery methods.
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Here is what you can expect when you have a filling at Chesterfield Family Dental:
Patient Comfort
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