Bacteria cause decay, eating away at the enamel protecting your teeth. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly every American will experience some level of decay throughout their lifetime.
Certain foods provide the fuel that bacteria need to thrive, specifically sugary and starchy foods, especially those that stick in the grooves of your teeth. Bacteria produce an acidic byproduct that gradually softens your enamel, creating the need for a dental restoration, or a filling.
Silver amalgam fillings, commonly used in dentistry, require the removal of a larger amount of healthy tooth structure to adhere properly to your tooth. Additionally, silver amalgam fillings leave a dark mark on your smile. When you laugh, speak, or yawn, your dentistry may be visible to those around you.
While silver amalgam fillings are considered safe, many patients worry about mercury levels in the materials and prefer an alternative treatment.
Tooth-colored composite fillings allow us to leave your healthy tooth structure intact. We remove only the diseased area and use etching compounds to seal your filling to your tooth. Composite fillings come in a wide variety of shades to match your natural teeth and will be undetectable to the untrained eye.
As with all dental procedures, we will make sure you are completely comfortable for your treatment. Some superficial decay will not require anesthetic, while deeper decay may make anesthetic during treatment necessary. We will discuss your options with you prior to treatment.
After removing all signs of decay, we prepare your tooth to seal with the composite material and cure it using a light, making it hard and ready for use right away.
Our dentist place the final artistic touches, shaping and polishing your filling, along with any necessary precision adjustments to ensure a comfortable bite and outstanding esthetics.
Composite material is extremely versatile. If you have small chips, gaps, or damage to your tooth, we can use composite material to improve the appearance of your smile by adding it to your existing tooth structure. This makes cosmetic dental bonding one of the most conservative ways to improve your tooth's appearance.
Do you suspect that you need a dental filling or is it time to schedule your next dental exam? Call our Lansing, MI dental office to schedule! We look forward to helping you achieve a healthy, beautiful smile!