Understanding Composite Fillings: Benefits, Differences, and Costs

composite fillings in toledo

If you are looking for a dental office near you, then you may be looking for solutions to replace damaged or decayed teeth. One of the most recognized solutions today would be composite fillings. 

Composite fillingsare one of the most popular solutions that are popular today. Such fillings are both attractive and effective for repairing teeth; therefore, they are the favorite by most patients.

What Are Composite Fillings?

The composite fillings are tooth-colored fillings that are composed of a blend of resin and finely ground glass. The fillings made of composites do not stand out on your teeth like the ordinary metal fillings do. They are robust, universal, and best suited to filling cavities, cracks, or chips. Also, composite fillings attach to the tooth directly, and they give additional support to the tooth, and the possibility of further damage is minimized.

Difference Between Composite Fillings and Silver Fillings

Patients have one of the greatest concerns, which is the difference between composite fillings and silver fillings (amalgam). Silver fillings are decades old, and they are a composite of metals such as mercury, silver, tin, and copper. They are very strong, and most of the time they are used as molars because they bear high chewing forces. Silver fillings are, however, more noticeable and perhaps darken with time.

Composite fillings, on the contrary, have some benefits:

  • Aesthetic Appeal: Composite fillings are literally invisible given that they are applied in the same color as your teeth.
  • Less Tooth Removal: Dentists tend to leave more of your natural tooth behind than they do with silver fillings.
  • Bonding Strength: The composite material is stuck to your tooth, and it contributes to strengthening the affected area.
  • Durability: Cavities and/or chipped, cracked, or worn teeth can be fixed using composite fillings.

Even though silver fillings are very gross and strong, they tend to increase or contract with changes in temperature, thus sometimes causing cracks or fractures on the tooth. Composite fillings, although with a little less durability with very large restorations, do provide better cosmetic outcomes and are perfect with visible teeth.

The Composite Fillings Treatment

The composite filling type of treatment is easy and does not normally require more than one visit. Here’s what to expect:

  1. Dental Cleaning and Examination: Your dentist will check the tooth and clean it in case of any decay.
  2. Etching and Bonding: Preparation of the tooth is done with a solution of mild acid to make sure that the composite sticks to the tooth.
  3. Layering of the Composite: The dentist uses the resin in layers, and each layer is cured using a special light.
  4. Shaping and Polishing: The last step involves shaping and polishing the filling so that it fits in your bite.

The process is mostly painless, and local anesthesia gives one comfort during the process.

Cost of Composite Fillings

The cost of composite fillings is one of the issues that many patients raise. The cost will be different based on the size and the location chosen to fill and also according to the experience of the dentist. Composite fillings might cost on average, between 90 and 250 dollars per tooth, and this is a bit more expensive than silver fillings. Nevertheless, many patients consider composite fillings to be a good long-term investment because of their natural look and long-term advantages.

In case you are seeking composite fillings near you, then it is important to find a reliable dentist who would offer quality service and customized treatment plans.

Conclusion

The correct filling material is very important to your health and the appearance of your teeth. Although silver fillings are tough and resilient, composite fillings in Toledo have a natural appearance, retain more of the tooth, and are effective protective measures.

Our skilled staff members offer you the best quality composite fills in Classic Smiles Dental according to your requirements. Book an appointment at our dental office near you and retain your smile with our long-lasting, aesthetically pleasing composite restorations today.